How Do I Know if My Toothache Is Serious?

Here’s what you need to know about toothaches and when you should see our dentists.

What Is a Toothache?

Regardless of the cause, a toothache is general pain that is in or around a tooth. A handful of factors can contribute to a toothache occurring. Some minor toothaches can be treated with at-home remedies while others end up being more severe.

Knowing when to listen to your body and seek professional dental care from our dentists is important. If a serious toothache is not quickly dealt with, there is a chance that tooth extraction will be the only solution. 

We want to keep your smile healthy at all costs. If your pain is too much to self-manage and lasts longer than 2 days, please contact our Cadillac dental office right away. 

Toothache Symptoms and Possible Causes 

When it comes to toothaches, it isn’t hard to know you have one. The pain can be outright distracting and make it difficult to eat or drink. Because a toothache can mean any number of things, our dentists will need to examine your mouth to determine the cause.

You may have a toothache because of:

• An abscessed tooth
• Tooth decay
• A fractured tooth
• A damaged filling
• Excessive grinding or clenching
• Gum infection or disease
• An accumulation of food or debris between teeth

Any of the above causes will often result in sharp, throbbing, or constant tooth pain. Sometimes pain only occurs when pressure is applied to the tooth. There may also be swelling associated with the toothache. 

Most symptoms will resolve on their own or with simple remedies. However, it’s best to contact our office if you are experiencing extended pain or symptoms that could indicate infection. 

Please see our dentists if your toothache is:

• Lasting longer than 1 or 2 days
• Severe
• Accompanied by a fever or earache 
• Results in pain when you open your mouth wide

Available Treatment Options 

Before treatment can be chosen, our dentists will conduct an oral examination. Your medical and dental history will also be reviewed to give our team the whole picture.

Depending on the cause, we may need to fill a cavity, perform a root canal, prescribe antibiotics, or possibly extract a tooth. Our dentists will do everything they can to alleviate your pain and save any affected teeth.

However, if your toothache is minor, we recommend that you try:

• Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater
• Using floss to dislodge trapped food particles
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
• Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek 

Call Our Dentists Today

It’s important to not only find out the cause of your tooth pain, but to receive the necessary treatment to put an end to it as well. After a quick examination, our emergency dentists in Cadillac, MI, will work to determine the next steps needed to improve your oral health. Call LifeSmiles Dentistry at (231) 775-8281 today to request an appointment.