For the past few days, you’ve had to deal with a toothache that refuses to give you a moment of relief. It’s getting in the of meals, and it has even started to distract you from your work. It might get to the point that you feel like you’d rather get rid of the tooth altogether rather than deal with the pain anymore. But while you should definitely see a dentist to stop the constant discomfort that you’re suffering from, that doesn’t necessarily mean that an extraction should be your first choice of treatment. Keep reading to learn more about the real reason your tooth is in pain – as well as what you might be able to do to save it instead of having it removed!
Why Do You Have a Toothache?
Pain that occurs in or around a particular tooth could have any number of causes. Underlying reasons might include:
- Tooth decay that wasn’t treated in the earlier stages
- A form of gum disease
- An abscess that has formed around the root of the tooth
- Constant grinding or clenching of the teeth at night
- A piece of food caught in your smile
A visual examination and an X-ray will help your dentist determine the real cause of the toothache as well as the true severity of the situation.
How Can a Toothache be Treated?
Naturally, just as there are different causes for toothaches, there is also a variety of treatments available. If it’s as simple as a stuck piece of food, you can normally resolve the situation all by yourself with dental floss or a salt water rinse. On the other hand, if the tooth in question has a cavity, you’re likely to need a filling. And in the case of an infection, you will likely need a root canal to stop the damage from spreading any further; antibiotics could also be prescribed if swelling has occurred.
When is an Extraction Needed?
Bear in mind that extraction will be the very last option that your dentist considers. There are many long-term health consequences of losing a tooth – an imbalanced bite, dental drift, loss of bone in the jaw, and so on – that should be avoided at all costs if possible. But if a toothache is linked to an emergency issue that has already destroyed most of the tooth’s structure or poses a threat to your overall oral health, removing it could be the only choice.
As distressing as a toothache can be, it’s important to remain calm when searching for a solution. Talk to your dentist, explain all of your symptoms as well as you can, and consider the pros and cons of each recommended procedure before making a decision.
About the Author
Dr. Steve Margolian has been bringing high-level dentistry to families in his community for over 30 years now. Having graduated from the University of Toronto, he has completed training in a variety of specialties and offers emergency care and other services to patients that are suffering from oral pain. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Margolian regarding persistent pain in your mouth, get in touch with Donlands Family Dentistry today.