Why Should a Toothache Be Taken Seriously?

Chances are you've experienced a toothache. These dental conditions are common and have a variety of causes. Sometimes they are no more than tooth sensitivity. Other times they may cause debilitating pain.

If you have an aching tooth, you can either shake it off as tooth sensitivity if it isn't too severe or you think something is terribly wrong when the pain is excruciating. Sometimes you may be tempted to stick it out as long as you can, bearing with the pain and thinking it will go away on its own. However, this isn't always the case.

Sometimes toothaches may be the result of a chronic condition that hasn't been properly dealt with. Instead of clearing up on its own, it spreads, causing further damage to your teeth and gums.

As much as you may dislike the dentist, there are some circumstances whereby immediate attention from a dental professional is important. If your tooth, for instance, is causing constant, unbearable pain, will likely cause you to break down and seek immediate professional dental care.

A broken, cracked or chipped tooth can create a toothache that suddenly starts. When a tooth experiences trauma, such as being broken or chipped, the enamel of the tooth becomes weakened and compromised. The tooth enamel is the hard, translucent outer layer. It protects the inside of the tooth from infection and decay and it gives the tooth the stability and hardness to function properly. When the tooth enamel becomes compromised, the nerves inside the tooth and the roots of the tooth become exposed, leading to pain and sensitivity. In many cases, a broken, cracked or chipped tooth can be repaired.

Another source of toothache pain can come from a tooth that is abscessed. Tooth abscesses are the result of an untreated oral health condition that creates an infection. A tooth abscess is usually the result of an untreated cavity whereby the germs and bacteria from the tooth decay spread down (or up) into the root of the tooth. Abscessed teeth can be saved with a root canal. In instances where the tooth abscess is too great, the tooth will need to be extracted. You'll know whether you have an abscessed tooth or not. These often cause excruciating pain and can be accompanied by a host of other unpleasant symptoms including: fever, swollen, red gums, sore, swollen glands in the neck, unusual tastes in the mouth, bad breath, a stiff and swollen jaw and open sores on the gums that may drain. Abscessed teeth can lead to lost teeth and destruction of the gum tissue and jaw bone. The germs and bacteria that is in the pus that is excreted from the open sores of the gum can get into the bloodstream causing life-threatening health conditions such as a blood infection.

One's tooth sensitivity is often the result of an underlying oral health issue. It may stay at a temporary tooth sensitivity such as when a tooth is broken or chipped. In other instances, the pain can become worse, to the point where the pain is nearly unbearable. Regardless of how severe or not your tooth sensitivity is, it is worth it to have it looked at a dental professional. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the cause of your tooth sensitivity and apply the appropriate treatment.


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