One second, everything is normal and going just fine. The next, you have an overwhelming, debilitating toothache that seems to have come out of nowhere. How did this happen? What could possibly be causing your tooth pain? In this post, you’ll learn just four potential causes and how your emergency dentist in Midland can alleviate your pain.
Food Stuck between Your Teeth
As you eat, little pieces of food can become wedged between your teeth. If you don’t get this debris out with brushing or flossing, it can cause your teeth to feel pressure or feel sore, especially over time. The good news is that if this is the reason for your tooth pain, you can easily resolve the problem by flossing around the affected tooth. However, if the pain persists, it could be a sign of something more serious.
Tooth Decay in the Tooth’s Pulp
In many cases, tooth pain results from tooth decay that has penetrated well beyond the enamel, through the dentin, and into the pulp, where the tooth’s nerves and blood vessel are located. When this happens, the tooth sends painful signals to the brain. To fix the issue, your dentist will need to remove the infected pulp, seal the inner chamber of the tooth from bacterial infection in the future, and then place either a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown to restore the tooth. Sometimes the infection is located at the tooth’s roots. Your dentist will likely need to follow the same procedure for treatment, but they may need to go through your gum tissue to access the infection.
Injury
Your teeth can take a hard blow and cause you to feel significant pain. Especially in the event that the pain and the damage are severe, you’ll want to contact your dentist as soon as possible. If the tooth is broken or cracked deep enough, you may need a root canal to prevent future infection and ease your pain.
Wisdom Teeth
If you are between the ages of 16 and 25, your wisdom teeth could be giving you tooth pain. This third set of molars can be superfluous for many people, but they can try to erupt without enough room in the arch to accommodate them. As they grow in, wisdom teeth can push the other teeth together, come in at an unsafe angle, or cause an infection below the gum surface, causing pain. Your dentist can let you know if your wisdom teeth are the source of the problem and extract them if necessary.
If you are experiencing dental pain, you shouldn’t wait! No matter what the cause of your tooth pain is, you can get relief by seeking help from your emergency dentist as soon as possible. They can diagnose the problem and provide the necessary pain management and treatment. If you postpone seeing the dentist, the problem can progress even further, putting your smile and your overall health at risk. So, contact your dentist today!
About the Practice
At Boyles General Dentistry, individuals and families in the Midland area have access to not just one but three experienced dentists. Dr. Stephen Boyles, Dr. Ken Etheredge, and Dr. Franklin Boyles each have years of advanced training, and they can quickly diagnose problems and provide immediate relief for those in pain. To schedule an appointment with Boyles General Dentistry, you can call (432) 685-7011 or click here.