Here at New Smiles, a Sherwood Dentist, we care about your overall health. Visiting the dentist every six months is an important and easy way to stay up to date with your oral health. Most of your oral care is preventative which means the majority of the health benefits happen with the care you do at home. But what happens when you stay up to date with your cleaning visits and practice good oral care but still have tooth problems, such as pain or discomfort? We recommend coming in to see us if you have tooth pain that persists for an extended period of time. Here are common causes of tooth pain, and possible ways to heal it.
Common Causes of Toothaches
Almost everyone will experience a toothache at one point in his or her life. Sometimes eating something extra cold or cracking down on a hard piece of food or candy can cause tooth discomfort. But if a toothache persists over a period of days it is important to know that that pain is an indicator that something is not quite right.
A toothache that lasts a while is typically result from either jaw or more severe tooth issues.
These problems could be from a crack in your tooth, possible gum disease, a cavity, or even an exposed tooth root. There are a wide variety of other conditions.
If you have chronic tooth pain visit your dentist as soon as possible so they can help you.
Dental Cavities
Dental cavities are the most common cause of toothaches. If you have a cavity, you may not initially experience pain. However, neglecting to visit your dentist on a regularly basis can cause that cavity to become worse, which almost always results in a toothache.
The easiest ways to prevent tooth cavities is to brush your teeth twice a day, use a fluoride toothpaste and make sure to floss at least once a day. Along with these easy to do tips, our Doctors strongly recommend that you also follow a balanced diet with limited snacks and participate in regular dental visits and cleanings.
Gum Disease
Gum Disease is the second most common cause of toothaches. If you smoke you may be at higher risk. Warning signs often include tender, swollen, reddened gums or gums that have pulled away from your teeth or bleed. Visit your dentist if you experience any of these symptoms. Treatments will vary, depending on the degree of gum disease, which is why it’s important to recognize the symptoms and treat them as soon as possible. Gum disease can cause toothaches in the roots of your teeth, resulting in pain when you eat anything hot, cold or sour.
If you are experiencing tooth pain come visit our dentists’ for immediate attention. Here at New Smiles, your health is our number one priority.
