The healthiest people are typically those who pay attention to all aspects concerning how they feel. When you pay attention to the details, it is easy to notice when things are “off” or are not working as they should. The body has its own system for alerting you, and these are known as symptoms. The main goal of any type of symptom is to get you to pay attention because something is not right. Most of the time, symptoms start mild, and it is best to pay attention to these minor occurrences. Ignoring minor symptoms only leads minor issues to becoming major issues.
Any type of toothache should be brought to your dentist’s attention. Unlike a headache or a stomach virus, a toothache will not go away on its own. Each tooth is a living feature within the mouth, yet the tooth itself does not have its own immune system fighting off infection. A toothache is typically a symptom of damage or infection that needs to be addressed by your dentist for proper and timely treatment.
In order to understand how serious a toothache is, it is important to know the causes behind a toothache. The following are the most common causes:
- A piece of food trapped between the tooth and gum line. Popcorn kernels are infamous for getting lodged in the gum line. Most of the time, people are able to get them loose with floss or their fingernails. However, if you are unsuccessful at removing food trapped, it is important to visit the dentist. Many toothaches are a result of food rotting in the mouth, causing infection in the area.
- A cracked tooth is also a common cause of a toothache. Cracked teeth can easily occur from biting down on hard candies or ice. If you have pain or discomfort when chewing or applying pressure to your tooth, you need to have it evaluated. Minor cracks can be easily filled, but when a crack is a major concern it can allow bacteria to infect the inner layer of the tooth.
- A decaying or infected tooth is an extremely painful occurrence. This issue will never resolve itself, and it will only lead to further pain and issues within neighboring teeth. Bacteria or decay that reaches the roots of the tooth will cause the tooth to die a painful death, and it will leave your entire mouth vulnerable to the same fate.
At Crabapple Dental, we encourage you to pay attention to any type of toothache that you encounter. Treating minor issues is the ultimate goal – before they turn into major issues. Please don’t ignore a toothache. Call our practice today.