15 Oct Five Reasons Why You Should Never Ignore Dental Pain
There are many reasons for dental pain, and none of them should ever be ignored. Tooth pain is not normal. If your teeth hurt, it’s for a reason. And if you ignore your pain, the problem is only going to get worse. We explain the causes of tooth pain and why you should go to the dentist when you have a toothache.
What Causes Tooth Pain?
The reasons for tooth pain are often quite serious, so the sooner you figure out what’s causing your pain, the better. Even an occasional, mild toothache can signal the beginning stages of major problems.
Tooth pain can be a symptom of things like gum disease, tooth infections, and even oral cancer. But tooth pain isn’t only a symptom of dental diseases—conditions like TMJ disorders, chronic migraines, and allergies can also trigger toothaches.
Causes of tooth pain include:
- Tooth decay
- Receding gums
- Infections (dental abscess)
- Gum disease
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Damaged or missing fillings
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- TMJ disorders
- Colds, flu, or allergies
- Migraines
- Oral cancer
When Should I Go to the Dentist for a Toothache?
The answer to this question is: right away! Seeing a dentist as soon as possible is always a good idea. They can offer treatment for gum disease or tooth decay, or help you rule out the possibility of dental problems and refer you to a medical doctor instead.
Five Reasons Why You Should Never Ignore Tooth Pain
1: The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get. For example, if you have a toothache because of a deep cavity, getting it filled right away will prevent the need for a root canal treatment later on. Or, if your teeth hurt because of bruxism, seeking treatment will help prevent permanent damage like enamel erosion and broken teeth.
2: Tooth and gum infections can spread. Tooth pain is often a sign of a bacterial infection, either in the tooth itself or in the gums. If you don’t seek treatment, the bacteria can infect other teeth or even get into your bloodstream and infect other parts of your body. And if you have diabetes, you are even more vulnerable to infections.
3: You might lose the tooth! Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, because it exposes the vulnerable tooth root to infections. When the root of a tooth gets infected, it eventually kills the nerves and blood vessels inside the root canal. It also weakens the bone that supports the tooth. If you ignore your dental pain, the tooth will die. And if it’s too late for a root canal, there is no other way to save it.
4: Poor dental health affects your whole body. Gum disease and tooth loss have been linked to all sorts of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and more. Taking better care of your teeth and gums will prevent complications and improve your general health, so you should never ignore dental pain!
5: It could be something serious. Sometimes a toothache is just a cavity or a sinus infection, but every once in a while it’s a symptom of oral cancer. Surviving this deadly disease depends on early detection, so if you’re a smoker or have a higher risk of oral cancer, you should never skip a dental exam. Dentists are often the first to detect signs of oral cancer, so a routine trip to the dentist might just save your life.
Urgent Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
We don’t want to scare you, but we do want you to take dental pain seriously. If you have a toothache, please see a dentist as soon as possible. At Prescott Dentistry, we always reserve time in our schedule for urgent visits. In most cases, you can wait a few days for an appointment, but if you are in severe pain, you may need same-day treatment. Give us a call at 928-445-1660, and we will help you get the treatment you need so you can find relief from dental pain.
Photo by Jessica Christian on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 10/8/24.