When tooth pain persists, it’s unwise to try to wait it out, hoping the pain will subside on its own. Dr. Phuong Le and her team at Le Dentistry & Associates want you to call their office with your questions or concerns at any time. They can evaluate your symptoms over the phone and tell you if it’s time for a visit to their Norcross, Georgia office, or if they have other recommendations.
Many causes for a toothache should receive quick dental attention to prevent worsening pain and even more damage to your oral health.
Pain is your body’s megaphone
Pain is the body’s way of getting your attention and telling you something is wrong. Mild pain may be tolerable and can fade on its own over time. But recurring or persistent dental pain is a sign that something is definitely wrong and needs attention so the condition doesn’t worsen.
Before that dental issue becomes a dental emergency, it is time to contact Le Dentistry & Associates for a consultation. Unlike some issues with your body that can heal on their own, problems with teeth don’t heal; they grow worse with neglect. That means your toothache won’t get better without dental care.
Dr. Le and her team see all kinds of dental problems that cause pain. Here are the three most common causes of a toothache — and they all warrant a quick trip to the dental office for treatment.
1. Sudden toothaches
A sudden toothache is a sure sign that something is wrong and will need dental care quickly. Any problem that causes sudden and severe pain is not a passing irritation. Most often, this type of toothache is a sign of an infection or abscess that’s developed inside or beside the tooth and has become well-established, which is why the pain has set in now.
Untreated infections or abscesses can allow infection to spread into your bloodstream, causing further health complications. Bacteria from tooth decay or tooth infections can contribute to diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and other problems.
2. Persistent tooth pain
Many people have persistent tooth pain and routinely ignore it. But just like sudden pain, persistent toothaches are a signal that something bad is happening in your mouth. The typical cause of persistent pain is ongoing tooth decay, which needs immediate care to prevent it from getting worse.
Simple tooth decay may develop into periodontal disease or, worse, loosening teeth that eventually fall out. The more time you give for decay to spread, the more teeth you could possibly lose.
3. Pain when chewing
Any time you bite down while eating and feel pain, it’s a clear sign of a dental problem. Tooth decay can cause this type of pain, but it can also be the result of a loose filling, a cracked tooth, or some other dental issue. Sometimes the pain you feel when biting down can be sharp, but other times it may be slight; you might be tempted to just let it pass. If it keeps occurring, though, you need dental care.
Tooth sensitivity always needs attention
Some patients have sensitive teeth and experience momentary flashes of pain when their teeth are exposed to hot, cold, or even sweet substances. This is actually quite common, and Dr. Le can recommend some treatments or products for routinely sensitive teeth.
But when this sensitivity is not common but begins to occur, or if it worsens, you need to schedule an exam at our office to see what’s happening. Sudden or worsening teeth sensitivity can be caused by tooth decay, a cracked tooth, worn tooth enamel, a loose filling, or an exposed tooth root.
You may not need treatment the same day, but you should get the soonest appointment available to prevent the problem from getting worse.
When a toothache occurs, and especially if it persists, call Le Dentistry & Associates in Norcross, Georgia. We’re open late some days and all day Saturdays for your convenience. Call us at 678-252-9881, or book online, and protect your oral health.