The Truth Behind Toothaches

Toothaches can strike at anytime for a number of different reasons. Toothache pain is often sudden and very painful. If you have a toothache, you know it mostly by the throbbing that emits from one of your teeth. These aches in your teeth only get worse as time goes on, often making it difficult to eat and drink, especially if you are trying to consume a very hot or cold liquid. Toothaches can also make it difficult to even lie down and rest. With all the pain and discomfort with toothaches, it can also be very difficult to treat with home remedies.

Toothaches can occur for many different reasons. Things such as a cavity, an infection, or an abscess in the tooth or gums are often the leading causes of a toothache. Other times it may be something stuck in the gums or between the teeth. Your can also have toothaches that have nothing to do with your dental situation. If you have a toothache it is important to get it checked out by the dentist before it turns into an even worse pain, and a very serious problem. Toothaches not dealt with properly can even become a threat to your life. *

In most cases a toothache is very easy to diagnose. The pain is often unbearable. It generally starts at some point under the gum, and goes all the way to the top of the tooth, possibly even affecting the jaw. They usually begin as a throbbing pain and progress to a worse and worse pain until properly dealt with. The longer you wait to have it evaluated, the farther the infection has a chance to spread. If you wait too long, you may end up having to lose the tooth.

Do not brush off toothaches, assuming it will just eventually go away. Do not hesitate to call your dentist and make an appointment to get him to check it out. Most offices have emergency visits available for situations like these, so you should not have to wait too long to be seen and treated. There is a reason these special appointment times exist, take advantage of it. If the appointment is not for a little while, and the pain seems unbearable, feel free to purchase an over the counter remedy. This may help subdue the pain. However, do not be tricked into thinking that just because the pain is temporarily gone, that you no longer need to see the dentist.

The sooner you are able to get to the dentist, and he is able to diagnose what the cause of the toothache might be, the better chance you have of being able to keep your tooth. Sometimes, in severe cases, you may require a filing, crown or root canal, but you will still get to keep your tooth. Your dentist will do everything in his power to help you keep your tooth. They generally do not like to take teeth unless it is a necessity. If there is an infection in the tooth, such as an abscess, your dentist will likely have you take a medication until the infection goes away before he will remove the tooth.

Nearly everyone has had, or will have a toothache. They are a very common inconvenience often striking at the worst possible time. However, just because they are common does not mean that they should be taken lightly. Getting your toothache checked out is very important to your health. It is not a bad idea to buy something to help with the pain, but do not think that is a permanent fix. Talk to your dentist at the first signs of a toothache.

* Merck Manuals Online Medical Library