Finding the Cause Behind Your Toothache

Dental pain can instantly downgrade your day and get in the way of a good time. You don’t have to suffer for long, however. Our Washington, MI, emergency dentists are here to alleviate your discomfort with a variety of restorative treatments depending on the true cause of your toothache.

Here are a few explanations that if applicable, could be why you have a tooth that hurts.

1. Tooth Decay

One of the most common reasons for a toothache is a cavity. This is when the bacteria inside your mouth start to break down the structure of your tooth. For small cavities, our emergency dentists may recommend a tooth-colored filling. For more significant decay, they may recommend a dental crown or emergency root canal.

2. Unchecked Grinding or Clenching of Teeth

Bruxism is a condition that causes you to grind and clench your teeth at night. What’s more, you may not even be aware that you’re doing it. Call Excel Dental if you’re experiencing toothaches, jaw pain, headaches, jaw clicking, and other symptoms that could indicate bruxism.

If our emergency dentists discover further signs of bruxism, they may recommend that you wear a custom night guard while you sleep to protect your smile. The night guard itself fits right over your teeth and works to prevent the upper and lower sets from directly touching.

3. A Tooth That’s Become Chipped or Cracked

It’s important that you treat a chipped or cracked tooth as soon as possible, especially if the damage is severe. Once the structure of your tooth is compromised, bacteria may be able to enter the dental pulp. Pulp is the innermost chamber of your tooth that’s composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues.

A chipped or cracked tooth can definitely cause major pain. To restore the tooth, call Excel Dental to schedule emergency dental care. We’ll work quickly to determine what type of treatment is the most suitable given the condition of your tooth.

4. Erosion of Tooth Enamel 

Enamel is the tooth’s outer protective layer and the strongest substance in the human body. In fact, tooth enamel earns a 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This means that the enamel protecting your teeth is as hard, or harder, than steel. Talk about impressive!

While enamel is strong, it’s not indestructive. For example, you may wear away the enamel over time if you consume a lot of sugar, neglect oral hygiene, drink a lot of soda, or grind your teeth.

Once the enamel is gone, it doesn’t grow back. It can also expose the underlying dentin which contains microscopic tubules going straight to your nerves. The result is often tooth sensitivity to heat and cold. Worn tooth enamel will also increase your risk of cavities and other dental emergencies.

Call Our Emergency Dentists Today

If you need help with a nagging toothache, our emergency dentists in Washington, MI, are available to provide urgent dental care. Call Romeo Family Dentistry ASAP today at (586) 752-3589 or request an appointment online to find relief.