Although brushing and flossing keep your teeth and gums healthy enough to resist cavities, gum disease, and other damage, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never develop a problem. For example, if you have a toothache, it can point to a more serious underlying concern.
Many patients mistakenly assume that their pain will clear up on its own in time, but unfortunately, oral issues tend to worsen progressively the longer you wait to be seen. Continue reading to learn why you should contact your dentist for an emergency appointment as soon as you notice a toothache!
What Caused My Toothache?
Many potential culprits can cause throbbing in your teeth, and some are more serious than others. For instance, you might develop sensitivity from eating too many acidic foods, so you can reduce its impact by altering your diet or switching to a desensitizing toothpaste.
However, in many cases, the pain in your mouth points to tooth decay, periodontal disease, infection, or injuries that have compromised the structure of your teeth. If germs in your mouth penetrate your enamel or connective tissues, they can irritate the tender nerves and pulp inside your teeth, causing the discomfort you’ve noticed.
Do I Need an Emergency Appointment for My Toothache?
You might feel tempted to wait a while to see if the issue resolves itself before contacting your dentist, but doing so could potentially harm your dental health. The longer the problem goes unaddressed, the more likely you are to experience additional injuries, decay, or aches.
Even if your toothache miraculously dissipates, it’s not necessarily an indicator that things have improved. It’s more likely that the infection in your tooth became so severe that it killed the nerves inside, so they can no longer send pain signals to your brain.
You still need to visit your dentist so they can treat the underlying problem to keep it from spreading to neighboring teeth or your jawbone, where it can do further damage and even cause permanent tooth loss.
How Are Toothaches Treated?
Many dentists offer same-day emergency appointments so if you have an unexpected problem, you don’t have to wait for relief. Contact them and let them know what has happened, and they’ll schedule an appropriate time to see you. When you arrive, they’ll examine your teeth and gums, and may take X-rays or other images to view beneath the surface to determine the extent of the damage.
Then, based on their findings, they can recommend solutions. Often, a tooth-colored filling or root canal can alleviate the infection causing your discomfort. The latter is typically followed with a dental crown to restore your damaged tooth’s appearance and functionality. However, in extreme circumstances, extraction and replacement may be required.
If you’re unsure whether your toothache counts as an emergency, it’s better to contact your dentist sooner rather than later to avoid doing additional damage to your smile!
Meet the Author
Dr. Clark Julian is passionate about helping families in Mesa improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his dental degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and has completed continuing educational courses with Spear Education. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs under one roof, including emergency care. He also provides same-day visits for urgent concerns, so you don’t have to wait for relief if you’ve developed a toothache. You can request an appointment on the website or call (480) 482-7178.