Understanding When a Toothache Is Serious
Many people choose to ignore toothaches in favor of keeping up with their busy lives—or because they don’t look forward to dental visits. However, toothaches are indicative of serious conditions that need to be treated by your dentist as soon as possible.
Warning Signs
Toothaches can be caused by any number of conditions, such as cracked teeth, infections, or abscesses. Often, tooth pain is your body’s way of telling you that you have a dental issue that needs to be addressed, so if you experience severe, debilitating, or lingering pain, call your dentist to schedule a checkup. Other signs that you should see your dentist include tooth sensitivity to cold or heat, swollen or bleeding gums, and even a constant foul taste in your mouth, which may be drainage from an infected tooth.
Why See The Dentist
If left untreated, tooth infections can lead to damaged nerves, which necessitate root canals or even removal of the tooth if it is too badly damaged. Infection can also cause gum disease, which leads to other systemic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, as well as the deterioration of gum tissue leading to bone loss and loose teeth if the condition is left untreated.
Other Causes
In some cases, tooth or jaw pain is completely unrelated to oral health. Serious conditions such as heart attacks or angina are sometimes signaled by pain in the in the jaw. Other conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder or severe sinus infections can also cause pain that seemingly originates from the teeth. If you experience sudden tooth or jaw pain or have been ignoring pain for a long period of time, act now by visiting your dentist to rule out these more severe conditions.
The expert dentists at Cascade Dental of Vancouver are as caring as they are knowledgeable. If you are experiencing tooth pain, don’t wait—call one of our three offices today for a checkup and evaluation to treat your condition. For more information, visit us online or call (360) 213-1999.
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