Pain has a way of catching our attention. It doesn’t matter what your day looks like, a bad toothache can stop you in your tracks. Pain management will get you through the day but, ultimately, you need to get to the root of your problem before it gets worse.
Here are a few common toothaches you need to pay attention to. Let your dentist know and talk with them about your options.
Don’t ignore a toothache. At James A. Penney, III, DDS, PA Endodontics we help patients in central Arkansas recover from serious dental pain by restoring teeth to their original, natural state. If you have a serious toothache, ask your dentist about endodontic therapy.
1. Temperature Sensitivity
The pulp of your tooth is sensitive to the temperature of the food you eat. If you have extra sensitivity or pain when it comes to hot or cold foods, the pulp of your tooth might be swollen.
Pulp can become inflamed as the result of serious tooth decay or physical trauma, but the most common cause is dental work. It’s normal to experience temperature sensitivity four to six weeks after a dental procedure. If the sensitivity last longer, let your dentist know.
Pay attention to how long the pain lasts. Some teeth are just more sensitive to temperature. Does your pain or sensitivity to hot or cold foods only last for a few moments? If you have sensitive teeth, we recommend changing up your brushing routine.
- Use toothpaste that is made for sensitive teeth.
- Use a soft toothbrush and
- Switch to an up and down brushing pattern.
2. Pain When Chewing
If you experience a sharp pain in your tooth every time you take a bite, you could be suffering from a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth leads to pulp damage and can cause more serious dental issues.
It’s important to tell your dentist about this pain. If you do have a cracked tooth, we can help.
Endodontic treatment will fix a broken tooth and stop the pain.
3. Severe Toothaches
If you’ve got a severe toothache, there’s no mistaking that. Dental pain is miserable to experience, but usually easy to identify. When is it time to see an endodontist?
If you experience pressure and pain that is constant, severe and extra sensitive to touch, it’s time to see an endodontist. You may have an abscessed tooth causing infection in the bone around your tooth. We will help evaluate the problem, relieve the pain and restore your tooth to health.
4. Unexplained Headaches
Believe it or not, damaged pulp in your tooth can cause headaches, neck pain and even pain in your ear. These are more difficult to diagnose than other dental problems. That’s why it’s important to have regular visits with your dentist.
Learn more about tooth pain and how we can help here.
