Take That Toothache Seriously

Many people will admit that they hate going to the doctor, often waiting until symptoms get out of hand before they will call and make an appointment. Most people are the same way when it comes to dental visits. At Gwinnett Family Dental Care, we understand that sometimes it is hard to make your health a priority. Still, we want to encourage you to make any issues with your oral health a priority. If you have any type of toothache, you need to take it seriously and have it evaluated as soon as possible. A toothache is usually a symptom of a serious concern, and ignoring your discomfort will only make matters worse.

It is a huge mistake to assume that a toothache will go away on its own. Anytime you have discomfort with a tooth that does not alleviate within a few short days, it is time to visit the dentist. Each tooth is a living feature with its own nerve endings, roots, and blood supply. Teeth can die when they are damaged or infected. Because teeth are designed to support one another and stabilize the jaw bone, the loss of a single tooth can cause damage to the entire mouth.

There are different causes of toothaches, ranging from minor to severe.

• A piece of food stuck between the gumline and a tooth can commonly cause a mild toothache. If not taken care of, the food can begin to rot and cause a painful bacterial infection.
• A cracked tooth can occur from chewing ice or hard candy. Pain that occurs while eating, chewing gum, or applying pressure to a tooth often indicates that the tooth is cracked.
• A cavity in a tooth, or a filling that has come loose, can cause extreme sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures and sweet foods.
• An infected, decaying, or dying tooth can be extremely painful. Any infection that reaches the nerves of a tooth will cause debilitating pain.

The thing to understand about a toothache is that no pain is too minor. Treating a minor issue within a timely manner can help save your tooth and save you from extreme pain that will come if not addressed. Please take any toothache seriously and call Gwinnett Family Dental Care for all of your oral health needs.