If you’ve ever had a toothache, you’ve probably thought, “Why is my tooth hurting? What’s causing it?” Toothaches are common, but your tooth pain may not originate from the same source each time. When you experience a toothache, you need to determine its cause and seek treatment at Danville Family Dentistry promptly.
Tooth pain is a protective response to let you know that something’s wrong. The nerves inside your tooth pulp chamber react to the source and cause pain to let you know you have a dental problem. How much pain you experience depends on what’s causing your pain and how severe the problem is. Your pain may be mild or relentless.
Below are some pain symptoms Hendricks County residents may feel, the possible causes, and what you can do for it:
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods or Beverages
If you experience a quick stab of pain when you eat or drink something that is hot or cold, you likely have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity isn’t a serious problem. However, it may be the result of a small area of tooth decay, a loose filling, or an exposed root caused by receding gums. Or, you may be experiencing toothbrush abrasion.
However, if your tooth pain lingers, the tooth pulp may be inflamed and/or dying due to deep decay or tooth trauma.
What to do: Try brushing your teeth with toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. Use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth, and gently clean at the gum line. If a root appears to be sensitive, keep it clean and free of bacteria. Try rubbing a medicated ointment for severe oral pain on the root surface.
If your tooth pain continues, see Dr. Jon Erickson at our Hendricks County office. You may need to have a root canal treatment to remove the dying or dead tooth pulp.
Tooth Pain when Biting Down
If you have a sharp pain when biting down, you may have tooth decay, a loose filling, or a cracked or fractured tooth. Additionally, you may have a tooth abscess, if the tissue has become infected.
What to do: Schedule an appointment as soon as possible at Danville Family Dentistry, so Dr. Erickson can determine what exactly is causing your pain – even if your pain is momentary or lingering. You may need to have the filling replaced. Or, you may need to have the decay and infected tissue removed and a root canal performed. The sooner you come in to determine the cause of your tooth pain, the less likely the problem will get worse or require a costlier treatment.
Dull Ache and Pressure in the Upper Back Teeth and Sinus Area of One or Both Sides
Many people in Hendricks County confuse sinus pain for tooth pain since they share the save nerves. Therefore, sinus congestion from a cold or the flu may feel like a toothache.
What to do: Take some cold and sinus medication to see if that relieves the pain. If not, see your doctor or Dr. Erickson to determine if your pain is from your teeth or your sinuses. However, don’t wait until the pain becomes severe. You may have an infection.
To schedule an appointment at Danville Family Dentistry, contact us at 317-745-4400.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
(317) 745-4400
