Ask a Family Dentist: Is Tooth Pain a Warning Sign?
Tooth pain is common in individuals of all ages, which makes it a top priority for family dentists to address. Every type of tooth pain is different, however, in general, it is an indicator that something else is wrong. When experiencing tooth pain, it can be helpful to become familiar with what it may mean.
What can tooth pain mean?
Tooth pain is not usually an isolated incident. Instead, it usually indicates that there is a more serious problem, such as gum disease or cavities, both of which may not be noticeable otherwise. In other scenarios, tooth pain may be a warning sign of wisdom tooth eruption or a problem with bruxism.
Gum disease
Patients who do not follow a proper everyday oral hygiene routine may be experiencing tooth pain due to gum disease. There are four stages of gum disease and even during the first stage patients will often experience swollen, tender and/or bleeding gums. Because the gums are not in a healthy state when suffering from an infection, there may also be a negative effect on the teeth, thus causing pain. The longer someone has gum disease and does not seek treatment, the more likely they will experience tooth pain.
A broken or cracked tooth
When an individual breaks or cracks one of their teeth, it can cause them to experience pain in that tooth. This pain often stems from the damaged tooth affecting the pulp, which is where the nerves and blood vessels live. When the nerves become damaged due to a break or crack, the individual is likely to experience an immense amount of discomfort, thus requiring the attention of a family dentist
Cavities
Tooth pain can be a warning sign that a dental patient is in need of cavity treatment. Untreated cavities will eventually begin to affect the deeper layers of the tooth and once the infection reaches the pulp, the individual is likely to experience discomfort. Cavities can be hard to identify, however, pain is the number one indicator. Cavity pain may be dull, sharp or aching, and in some cases, it may only be present when chewing occurs.
Other things to note
In other instances, the eruption of wisdom teeth or constant teeth grinding can be the cause of dental pain. Wisdom teeth often force the other adult teeth to shift, which can result in soreness. Additionally, those that grind their teeth throughout the night or during the day may experience discomfort. A family dentist may recommend extraction of wisdom teeth and a night guard for bruxism habits.
Find out more about tooth pain
Tooth pain is oftentimes unbearable, which can result in difficulty eating. Any level of tooth pain should be taken to a family dentist for an evaluation. The quicker the pain is evaluated, the quicker a diagnosis can be made, which will then allow for a treatment plan to be carried out.
To learn more about tooth pain and what it might mean, reach out today.
Are you considering using a family dentist in the Mission Viejo area? Get more information at https://www.missionviejosmile.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Related Posts
Looking for information on dental implants? If you have suffered significant tooth loss, but not enough to need a complete arch replacement, you can get a dental bridge supported by dental implants. Implant-supported bridges can provide a reliable, functional, and long-term solution to tooth loss. Unlike traditional bridges or removable partial dentures, a dental implant-supported…
CEREC® crowns are gaining popularity. Even so, there is only a limited number of clinics adopting the CEREC technology. Those who find dental facilities with this system are now enjoying the advantages of these crowns. If you want to find out more about the availability and popularity of CEREC crowns, here are the details.Traditional crowns…
A dental fillings is indispensable when it comes to teeth restoration. It can fill the cracks and cavities that dental decay has left on your tooth. While getting fillings is an easy procedure, some find it taxing, especially when there is hearsay about drills and scraping. If you want to understand what happens when you…
Most parents do not take their children to see a family dentist until they are well over two years of age. Dental professionals recommend that a child should visit the dentist within six months after teething starts. Baby teeth often start coming in from six months of age. Continue reading to learn more about children’s…