Toothaches are a common dental emergency that can be very uncomfortable to endure. They often take patients by surprise. This is because many of the underlying causes of a toothache do not present any noticeable symptoms until they advance to the point of causing pain. As your trusted general dentist in Asheville, NC, we want to make you aware of potential underlying causes for your toothache. Here are reasons why you may be experiencing a toothache:
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most common dental concerns we treat in our office. This occurs when plaque and tartar buildup begins to cause infection. Plaque and tartar are hardened bacteria agents, which need to be professionally removed from your teeth surfaces. If they are allowed to remain on your teeth surfaces, they can begin to eat away at your gums, cause cavities, or break down the bone that holds your tooth in place. To avoid the progression of gum disease, we recommend scheduling regular dental cleaning appointments. This allows our hygienist to rid your teeth of plaque and tartar before it begins to infect your gums. If the cause of your toothache is determined to be gum disease, we can provide a variety of periodontal treatment options to help you avoid future discomfort.
Broken or Damaged Tooth
If your tooth has been broken, chipped, or damaged in some way, this could be the cause of your toothache. Dental damage can occur due to facial trauma, biting down on something too hard, or chewing excessively crunchy foods. It’s best to seek restorative dentistry solutions for any dental damage as soon as possible. A damaged tooth can lead to an abscess if it is not treated promptly. This is because any dental damage becomes an additional place for bacteria or food residue to cling to on your tooth surfaces, and allows for tooth decay to progress deeper into your tooth and irritate or infect the pulp and nerves, causing pain.
Teeth Grinding
Some people grind their teeth or clench their jaw together at night without even knowing it. This is because this action largely occurs while they are sleeping. Patients of all ages can experience teeth grinding. Because this action places excess amounts of pressure on your teeth, you may experience a toothache in response. Treating teeth grinding, or bruxism is important in maintaining the longevity of your smile. Like most dental problems, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for teeth grinding. However, Dr. Hoffert can recommend a variety of treatment methods to help you avoid future discomfort including nightguard therapy, orthodontics for bite correction, or restorative dentistry options.
Schedule An Appointment
The best thing you can do to treat your toothache is to contact your trusted general dentist. At Red Maple Dental, we take pride in our ability to offer complex treatment options in addition to general dentistry and preventive care in our comfortable Asheville dental office. Dr. Shawna Hoffert has experience in all aspects of dentistry and would be happy to provide you with treatment options for the underlying causes of your toothache. Schedule an appointment today. We look forward to seeing you soon.