Millions of Americans suffer from toothaches, making it a common problem for people of all ages. While it can be very tempting to put off dental care and take a “wait-and-see” approach, even a minor delay in treatment can have serious consequences for your oral health and your overall wellness, too.
It’s true — not every type of tooth pain is a dental emergency. But it’s not always easy to tell which issues require urgent or prompt care and which may resolve on their own with no further problems.
In this post, the team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC offers a quick overview of tooth pain causes, so you can decide if you need to call the office right away or if it’s OK to monitor your discomfort for a day or two without increasing your risk of more serious problems.
While most of us think of toothaches as being associated with tooth decay or trauma, sometimes, tooth pain is related to something that’s completely benign. In these instances, pain isn’t associated with tooth damage or other serious problems and it usually clears up pretty quickly.
Sometimes, tooth pain can be triggered by a new dental tool or routine, like a new toothbrush or flossing instrument that irritates the gum surrounding the tooth. In these instances, tooth and gum discomfort typically resolve once you adapt to your new tool. If they don’t, it’s time to switch to a new tool — and if that doesn’t help, it’s time for a dental evaluation.
A tiny food particle lodged between your tooth and gum can cause a surprising amount of pain, too. Here, gently flossing around the tooth helps dislodge the particle and relieve discomfort in most cases.
Other times, tooth pain could be related to another issue altogether. Sinus infections are a common cause of tooth pain, especially in your upper teeth. That’s because your sinuses are located behind your cheekbones, just above the row of upper teeth.
That said, if tooth pain lingers for more than a day or two, don’t ignore it or wait for it to get better. Call the office and schedule an evaluation right away.
While some mild tooth pain can be temporary and harmless, there’s no denying that a lot of tooth pain is related to an underlying problem that’s not going to go away on its own. Suspected cavities and tooth trauma following an injury should always be evaluated right away to prevent further damage, like deep infections or tooth loss.
Pain that gets worse when you chew is often associated with an underlying infection, cavity, or pus-filled dental abscess in your tooth or gum. This type of pain is also associated with tooth chips and cracks, including tiny cracks caused by grinding and clenching habits. Delaying care in these cases dramatically increases your risk of further tooth damage and deep infections.
Tooth pain accompanied by swelling in your gums or face, bleeding, or fever should always be evaluated right away. These are signs of an advancing infection that requires immediate care to prevent potentially serious complications.
Likewise, if you have persistent pain, recurring pain, or pain that lasts for more than a day or two, it’s time to call the office. You should also call if you have sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, since these can be a sign of tiny cracks or other damage that requires urgent attention.
Bottom line: when in doubt, it’s always better to be cautious. Even mild tooth pain isn’t normal, and delaying evaluation and treatment can lead to much larger problems that require more expensive (and more costly) solutions.
To find out what’s causing your toothache and how we can help relieve it, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
