What could be causing your toothache and how do you treat it?
Dental pain can be described as throbbing, aching, intermittent, chronic, or severe. Based on the severity and characteristics of your toothache you may be able to spot the signs that it’s time to visit our Magnolia, TX, general dentist Dr. Gary Squyres for an evaluation. Wondering why you’re suddenly dealing with a toothache? It could be caused by,
- A cavity
- An abscess
- Receding gums
- Cracked or fractured tooth
- Gum disease
- A filling fell out
- An erupting tooth (e.g., wisdom tooth)
- Teeth grinding (also referred to as bruxism)
- Sinus infection (causes referred pain in the upper teeth)
How is a toothache treated?
How our Magnolia, TX, general dentist handles your toothache will depend on the cause. A cavity can easily be treated by removing the decay and then placing a dental filling to restore the tooth. An infected or cracked tooth may require root canal therapy if the dental pulp inside the tooth has become infected. Once the root canal is performed, then we will place a dental crown over the tooth.
If you’ve been told that you have TMJ disorder or that you grind your teeth then our dental team can discuss wearing a custom nightguard as well as certain stress management options to improve this bad habit and ease jaw, teeth, and facial discomfort.
Along with a toothache, you may also notice other symptoms that could give us hints as to what’s going on including,
- Tender, swollen gums (typically around the tooth)
- Headache
- Earache
- Fever
- Pus or drainage coming from the area
- Jaw pain
When should I see a dentist?
A toothache is considered a dental emergency so the sooner you seek care from a qualified dentist the better, especially if you are dealing with a fever or other signs of an infection. A toothache isn’t something that you can treat on your own. While you will be able to ease symptoms through over-the-counter pain relievers and by applying cold compresses to the face, these habits will only ease symptoms; they won’t actually treat the main cause. This is why you need to see a dentist.
If you are dealing with a toothache, do not delay. Visit our Magnolia, TX, general dentist right away for treatment. Call us at (218) 252-8809 to schedule a same-day visit for emergency dental care.