When it comes to a toothache, the pain that you usually feel comes in two forms: extremely painful or barely there. Although there is a standard protocol for dealing with painful toothaches (which is to automatically rush to your dentist), most people don’t actually know what to do with minor toothaches. 

More often than not, they will simply decide to wait and hope the pain goes away eventually. While it’s true that you’ll be able to save money when dealing with minor-league toothaches by simply sleeping them off, they can lead to even bigger problems when left untreated. 

The important thing to keep in mind when dealing with toothaches is that no matter how minor you think they are, it’s best to keep your dental and overall health intact by scheduling a quick checkup with one of Icon Dental Center’s dentist. However, before you spend any money, it’s best to understand what the most common causes of toothaches are and how you can treat them:  

Cavities 

Whether you’ve heard of them or you’ve already had them once or twice, you can’t deny that cavities are definitely something that you don’t want to deal with. Although not all cavities cause a distinct level of discomfort that can make you worry, American Dental Association says, the long term effects of ignoring them and leaving them untreated can cause even bigger problems that might make it hard to live pain-free.

As soon as tooth decay kicks in and strips your teeth of its protective enamel, you’ll most likely end up with a distinct black spot or two from over-brushing, which can lead to temperature sensitivity in your teeth. 

Gum Disease

Having your gums bleed after you use floss or a toothpick isn’t always a normal sign. It can, to some extent, indicate early signs of gingivitis or gum disease. If the bleeding gets excessive or recurring, you could end up with a toothache. 

In fact, dental pain, tooth pain, or gum pain are the most common early signs of dental infections or gum disease. If you’re already brushing regularly and using the best dental hygiene practices, you’re doing a good job at preventing gum disease.

However, if the gums continue to ache or swell, you may need to visit your dentist for immediate dental treatment. If you and your dentist are able to catch gum disease in its early stages, it’ll help keep your teeth and gum healthy and intact for a long time to come. 

Remember, if you leave the symptoms of gum diseases untreated, there will come a point with no return possible. Gum diseases usually occur in stages, some of these stages will leave you with the inability to restore your teeth back to their best health, thus you may need a tooth extraction. 

The treatment for this periodontal disease depends largely on which stage of gum disease you are at. If you think you have a sign of infection, get your oral health checked with one of our dentists. 

Abscessed teeth 

The pain and discomfort that you’ll feel when you have dental abscesses is something you wouldn’t even wish on your worst enemy. This dental problem can potentially put your life in danger if you don’t take care of it right away. Abscessed teeth cause a significant amount of swelling in the face and mouth and a fever that only makes matters worse.  

This swelling can eventually rupture, marking the start of greater threats to your oral health if your abscessed tooth goes untreated. Fixing an abscessed tooth involves ridding the root canal of any infectious substances and sealing the gap so that your chompers will be as good as new, so it’s best to go with a trusted professional who can keep you safe throughout the procedure. 

Sinus Infections 

Contrary to popular belief, not all toothaches are directly caused by oral health conditions that take place within the teeth, especially when sinus infections can cause quite a bit of discomfort and mild pain in your mouth. Certain types of sinus infections can act as a precursor for impending toothaches, which means that you’ll have to get your dentist and doctor involved to fix things. 

Thin enamel 

This common cause of toothaches is usually associated with the sense of having the teeth lose their protective coating through aggressive brushing. As the enamel becomes thinner, some temperature sensitivity (just like cavities) begins to set in, which can cause a significant amount of discomfort for anyone with worn-down teeth. You may even be unable to consume hot or cold food/beverages as a result.  

The standard treatment used by dentists to fix this particular problem is to administer a fluoride treatment that will act as a brand new shield for your teeth!

What to Do Next?

An emergency dental visit has to do more than just treating a mere toothache. As a patient, it is up to you to pay attention to what is going on in your mouth. And the only best way to know this is to schedule an appointment or walk-in to a dentist’s office. 

If you’re looking for dental services in the Seattle or Everett area, Icon Dental Center’s dentists are always available to help you out.