Pain is the body’s way of telling you something is wrong. It’s never fun for anyone to have tooth pain, which is why we want to help educate you as best as we can on what to do! So, the question for you then is, when does a toothache indicate you need to see the dentist?
What is a Toothache?
Believe it or not, not every toothache relates directly to a dental problem. Generally, you can break tooth pain into two categories: dental and non-dental.
Dental pain can indicate:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay (a cavity)
- Fractured or otherwise damaged tooth
- Misalignment
Each one of these problems can lead to varying degrees of tooth pain. Some non-dental causes of pain would include:
- Sinus pressure – The pain may come from the two sinus cavities near the back of your mouth. When there is pressure due to an infection or allergies, you may feel pain in your teeth.
- Muscle pain – Overuse of the jaw muscles; maybe you spent the night laughing at a funny movie, which can lead to referred pain in the teeth.
- Cluster headaches – It’s not clear why some headaches can cause pain in the teeth, but it does happen.
- B12 deficiency – Lack of adequate B12 in the diet can cause tooth pain
- Nerve problems – Certain nerve conditions may cause referred tooth pain
A toothache from a dental problem has a specific kind of pain, though.
Identifying Dental Tooth Pain
Chronic or recurrent tooth pain may be non-dental. However, acute tooth pain, which comes on suddenly and does not stop, is likely a dental problem.
Anytime you feel a throbbing or pulsating pain or sensation, it is safe to assume that you need the dentist.
There are less obvious signs of dental pain, though, such as:
- Sharp pain in response to cold or heat can indicate exposed dental nerves and pulp.
- Pain when biting – Pain, when you bite down on something, may mean a tooth has a crack or fracture.
- Swollen or red gums – Swollen gums can indicate an infection that needs treatment.
- A dull pain – Dull dental pain is often a sign of grinding of the teeth
So, how do you decide if you need to see the dentist for a toothache?
When to See the Dentist
You should always take pain seriously. Sudden or severe pain requires attention and can be a dental emergency (read more on dental emergencies here). Severe tooth pain typically means there is pressure due to infection. Left untreated, an infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the heart.
If the pain is milder but persistent, you must identify its source, which means seeing the dentist. Also, if you feel pain when you bite down, you will need a dental evaluation to see if a tooth has a crack or fracture.
Pain, when you eat or drink, is less urgent, but it won’t go away without treatment. This kind of discomfort typically means decay or some other breakdown of the dental enamel.
If you are unsure, find your local Ideal Dental office today and make an appointment for an evaluation.