Suffering from a Toothache? When to Call Your Carmel Dentist

It is remarkable how something so small can cause so much discomfort. Anyone who has had a toothache knows the whole range, from a dull ache you can almost ignore to pain that takes over your day. Wherever yours falls on that scale, you do not have to figure out the cause on your own, and calling us is the easy first step. Here is what tooth pain usually means, and the simple rule for when to pick up the phone.

What causes a toothache?

The most common causes of tooth pain are:

• Dental decay
• A fractured tooth
• Tooth infection and abscess
• Gum disease and gum infection
• A damaged filling
• An ill-fitting crown
• Grinding your teeth

Sensitivity has its own patterns, and they are worth knowing because different triggers point to different causes. Sensitivity to sweet foods is often a sign of decay. Sensitivity to hot or cold can come from root surfaces exposed by gum recession, from cracked tooth syndrome, from bruxism, which is clenching and grinding your teeth, or from an inflamed or infected pulp, the nerve inside the tooth.

The threshold: you should not be aware of your teeth

Here is the rule we give patients. Healthy teeth stay out of your awareness. If a tooth is announcing itself, whether with sensitivity or outright pain, that is your signal that something needs attention, and any of it is reason enough to call.

Some patients wait because they dread the visit more than the ache. That is exactly the patient Fear-Less Dentistry was built around, and getting you out of pain is only part of the goal. Catching a problem early saves you time, money, and discomfort later, and it usually means a smaller fix. Depending on what we find, help might look like:

• A desensitizing varnish applied to exposed root surfaces
• Diagnosing TMJ disorder, of which bruxism is a symptom, and fitting you with a custom night guard
• Root canal therapy for an inflamed or infected pulp
• Repairing a damaged filling
• Preparing a cracked tooth for a dental crown

Signs that should not wait

Tooth pain is not the only signal worth acting on. Call us promptly if you notice:

• Bleeding gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Swelling in your jaw or face
• Earache paired with jaw pain
• Chronic headaches

And if pain arrives suddenly and severely, or swelling comes with it, treat it as urgent. Our emergency dentist page explains how we handle patients who need to be seen quickly.

Lowering your odds of the next one

Is a toothache inevitable? Not necessarily. Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use proper technique for both. If you are not sure your technique is doing the job, ask at your next visit and Dr. Alex Balaban will gladly walk you through it. Then keep your regular checkups on the calendar, because those visits are how small problems get caught before they ever become a toothache.

Suffering from a toothache right now? We can help you find relief. Call us at (317) 575-1995 or request an appointment online, and we will get you comfortable again.