Do you have an aching tooth? When you have pain in or around your smile, you should see your dentist. If the pain is serious, then you may even need an emergency visit. Discomfort is a warning sign that something has developed. Your toothache could be saying that your smile is in danger and requires immediate attention.
Possibly Warning Signs of a Toothache
- You Have a Cavity: The most common reason to have an aching tooth is a cavity. Tooth decay can occur when bacteria can bypass enamel, either though poor oral hygiene or injury, reaching the dentin and causing a cavity. Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or an aching tooth can mean you need treatment, such as a filling or a crown.
- An Infection Has Formed: Without treatment, a cavity can continue to spread until bacteria reaches the inner pulp, the living nerve center of your tooth. An infection can form, leading to toothaches, pain when biting down/chewing, fever, and swelling near the tooth. We can treat a dental infection with a root canal procedure, which stops discomfort and prevents the infection from spreading.
- You’re Grinding Your Teeth: If you suffer from bruxism, you grind your teeth or clench your jaw on a regular basis. Without treatment, this can wear down the teeth, leading to cracks and chips, exposing sensitive inner tissue and allowing cavities and infections to form. You can then suffer from bruxism.
- You’ve Cracked a Tooth: While a chipped or broken tooth is obvious, dental fractures are almost completely invisible. A cracked tooth could lead to aches and require endodontic treatment to address. If you have any questions about repairing teeth and addressing aching teeth, then contact our office today. We can recommend the most appropriate treatment to correct the problem and restore your smile.
Do You Have a Toothache?
At Vi Mai-Truong, DDS, we can address your discomfort with our restorative treatment options. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese. To schedule an appointment, call our Garland, TX office today at (972) 530-0552.
