Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Some people have the inclination to avoid the dentist whenever possible. If they’re experiencing discomfort, they try to stick out the pain and hope it will go away on its own. However, if you’ve got a toothache, ignoring it is never the best choice for your oral health. You need to seek immediate attention from a dental professional. This ensures treatment as soon as possible and relief from whatever pain you’re feeling. Here are 5 ways to tell if your toothache should warrant a trip to the dentist, as compiled by the team of oral health professionals at Tusculum Dental Care.
Listen to your pain
Pain is your body sending you a message that something is wrong. If the pain is not extreme or unbearable, many people adopt the “wait it out” approach. For a toothache, though, that’s risky. Tooth pain often advances quickly and can become unbearable. While pain from things like muscles and skin wounds can subside over time, the body can’t expel tooth decay or repair damaged tooth enamel.
Sudden and severe pain
When a sudden and severe toothache sneaks up on you, it’s often a sign of an infection in the tooth. This infection could develop an abscess, which forms at the end of the tooth root. If left untreated, the infection in the abscess can filter into your bloodstream and heavily affect your overall health, potentially leading to organ failure and even death. Immediate treatment for this type of infection is vital to save the tooth and prevent more lasting health consequences.
Persistent pain
If the pain you’re feeling in your mouth is persistent, that’s another sign that it’s time to seek your dentist in Greeneville. Consistent tooth pain is usually caused by tooth decay, but the presence of pain tells you that the decay has begun to affect the dental nerve and may have infiltrated your gum tissue, as well. Over time, this condition will only get more serious and can result in loss of the tooth altogether.
Pain when biting down
Pain when chewing or biting can sign nerve damage or issues to the soft tissue of the tooth. Tooth decay, a loose filling or a cracked tooth can all cause pain while biting down or chewing. Scheduling a dental exam at the first sign of discomfort when you bite down is important to ensure the issue is addressed and fixed..
Tooth sensitivity
It’s rather common to experience the occasional heightened sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks. If you’re experiencing this type of sensitivity and it is worsening over time, there may be a serious dental issue. The possible cause could be tooth decay, worn enamel, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root or loose fillings. All of these issues should be treated as soon as possible.
Toothache treatment in Greeneville, Jonesborough and Erwin in Tennessee
If you have a toothache and you’re not sure if it’s serious enough to see a professional, it’s best not to wait. At Tusculum Dental Care, we’re here to assess your pain, suggest potential treatment options and help get you on the road to healing. Visit us online or call (423) 639-7575 to speak with a member of our team today if you are suffering from tooth pain.