Toothache

Experiencing a toothache? Don't brush it off! The word “toothache” might sound like a minor issue, but a toothache may need your immediate attention. Tooth pain isn't always due to decay. It can also be caused by infections or referred pain from other areas. Our teeth have small nerves within them. When these nerves are irritated, our teeth hurt. Don't wait until the problem progresses to irreversible damage. Visit us at Dentalnook today for an accurate diagnosis and the care you need.

Referred pain may confuse you!

Sometimes, the pain you feel in your tooth actually originates from another part of your body. For example, when you have ear infections and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues, you may feel the pain radiating to your teeth. Sinus infections often cause discomfort in the upper molars, mimicking a toothache. In rare cases, tooth pain can even signal serious conditions like heart attacks (felt in the right upper molars), lung cancer, or nerve disorders such as occipital or trigeminal neuralgia.

No matter the cause, tooth pain should never be ignored. Contact us at Dentalnook without delay. Accurate diagnosis is the first step to addressing the problem and preventing potential complications.

Common Causes of Tooth Pain and How We Can Help

• Deep Cavities: Your teeth are protected by enamel, the strongest layer on the outside. But when cavity-causing bacteria break through this tough barrier, they reach the dentin—the more sensitive layer underneath. Dentin is packed with tiny nerve endings, so when decay gets this far, you might feel a sharp jolt of pain or sensitivity, especially with hot or cold foods. Even simple actions like biting or brushing can become uncomfortable.
• Old or Worn-out Fillings: Old or worn-out fillings can also leave your teeth feeling sensitive, acting as a reminder that your smile might need a little extra care.
• Impacted Wisdom Tooth: When a wisdom tooth grows in misaligned or fails to fully erupt, it can press against neighboring teeth, causing pain and discomfort.
• Wear and Tear (Attrition): Over time, natural aging or habits like grinding can wear down the enamel. When the enamel layer is worn off, the underlying dentin is exposed. Exposed dentin is often the leading cause of sensitivity, especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
• Injuries: A chipped or fractured tooth can cause sensitivity by exposing the sensitive inner layers. Even brushing too hard can lead to wearing down of enamel or gum irritation, resulting in pain and discomfort.
• Infections: If you are experiencing a dull pain, it could be due to inflamed gums. When gums are infected, it can lead to the formation of pus around the tooth, causing persistent, dull pain. When gum disease is not treated at its initial stage, it leads to shrinking of gums, exposing tooth roots and increasing sensitivity.
• Loose Teeth: Bone loss or gum disease can loosen teeth, irritating nerve endings and causing pain.

How We Treat Toothache

At Dentalnook, we address each cause of tooth pain with care and expertise:

• Dental Fillings: Cavities, enamel damage, and attrition can be treated with fillings or restorative treatments to rebuild and protect your teeth.
• Dental Varnish: We can restore your gums to their original position. We can apply a protective varnish to sensitive root surfaces.
• RCT and Antibiotics: Depending on the severity, we prepare an effective treatment plan for you. If there is pus, we need to drain it first, then we perform a root canal to clean infected tissue, and prescribe antibiotics to ensure complete recovery.
• Wisdom Tooth Removal: Our specialists can gently and safely remove problematic wisdom teeth.
• Teeth Replacement: Our gum experts can stabilize your teeth and, when necessary, replace missing teeth with durable, natural-looking dental implants.

Prevent Tooth Pain Before It Starts

• Brush twice daily with gentle pressure.
• Floss daily to keep your gums healthy.
• Eat a balanced diet and rinse your mouth after meals.
• Schedule routine dental check-ups every six months at Dentalnook.

When Tooth Pain Becomes an Emergency

Seek immediate dental or medical attention if:

• You experience facial or jaw swelling.
• You have tooth pain along with chest pain or discomfort in the right shoulder, which could indicate a heart attack.
• You experience difficulty in breathing or swallowing, or other symptoms linked to serious conditions like lung cancer.

Our Approach at Dentalnook

At Dentalnook, we emphasize prevention, early diagnosis, and timely intervention to ensure your overall well-being. Regular check-ups and prompt attention to dental issues can prevent minor problems from becoming emergencies.

Don’t wait for discomfort to escalate. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us right away.