When Should I Visit the Dentist for a Toothache?

Pain is your body’s way of alerting you that something is wrong. Tooth pain is never fun for anyone, which is why we want to help educate you as best we can on what to do! So, the question for you is, when does a toothache indicate that you should see a dentist?

What exactly is a toothache?

Believe it or not, not every toothache is caused by a dental issue. In general, tooth pain can be divided into two types: dental and non-dental.

Dental pain can be caused by:

• Periodontal disease
• Caries of the teeth (a cavity)
• Misalignment caused by a fractured or otherwise damaged tooth

Each of these issues can cause varying degrees of tooth pain. The following are some non-dental causes of pain:

• Sinus pressure – The pain may originate in the two sinus cavities located near the back of your mouth. You may experience pain in your teeth if you are under pressure due to an infection or allergies.
• Muscle pain – Excessive use of the jaw muscles; perhaps you spent the night laughing at a funny movie, resulting in referred pain in the teeth.
• Headache clusters – It’s clear why some headaches can cause tooth pain, but it does happen.
• B12 deficiency – A lack of B12 in the diet can result in tooth pain.
• Nerve issues – Certain nerve conditions can result in referred tooth pain.
• A toothache caused by a dental problem, on the other hand, has a distinct type of pain.

Recognizing Dental Tooth Pain

Chronic or recurring tooth pain may be caused by something other than a dental problem. Acute tooth pain, on the other hand, that appears suddenly and does not go away, is most likely the result of a dental problem.

It is safe to assume that you require the services of a dentist whenever you experience throbbing or pulsating pain or sensation.

However, there are less obvious signs of dental pain, such as:

• Exposed dental nerves and pulp can cause sharp pain in response to cold or heat.
• Pain when biting – Pain when biting down on something could indicate that a tooth has a crack or fracture.
• Swollen or red gums – Swollen gums can be a treatment of an infection that needs to be treated.
• A dull pain – Dull dental pain is frequently a sign of teeth grinding.

So, how do you know if you should go to the dentist for a toothache?

When Should You Visit the Dentist?

Pain should always be taken seriously. Sudden or severe pain necessitates immediate attention and may indicate a dental emergency (read more on dental emergencies here). Severe tooth pain usually indicates infection-related pressure. If an infection is not treated, it can spread to other parts of the body, including the heart.

If the pain is milder but persistent, you must determine the source, which requires a visit to the dentist. Also, if you experience pain when biting down, you should get a dental exam to see if a tooth has a crack or fracture.

When you eat or drink, your pain is less urgent, but it will not go away unless you treat it. This type of discomfort is usually caused by decay or another type of breakdown of the dental enamel.

If you are unsure, contact your nearest Ideal Dental office and schedule an evaluation.