Our bodies give us pain signals to let us know that something is going wrong. Ignoring these signals can be dangerous. A toothache is a signal letting you know that something is wrong with your tooth. Often, people will ignore a toothache, simply hoping that it will go away. A toothache could be a sign of dental issues. Dr. Thomas Weigel can help you get to the bottom of your toothache in Hazel Park, MI.
Understanding Tooth Pain
It is important to understand the difference between tooth pain, headaches, and pain of the jaw or other parts of the mouth. A toothache will radiate from a tooth. You will notice the pain when you are eating, drinking, or, if it is severe, all the time. Take some time to pinpoint if the pain you are experiencing is coming from a tooth, other parts of your mouth or if it is a headache. Toothaches also rarely go away with over-the-counter pain meds, but a headache would ease up with these products. Let’s look at a few different types of tooth pain to better understand what your toothache in Hazel Park, MI really means.
Hot/Cold Sensitivity
Although dental sensitivity is common for some people, it can be a signal of a dental issue. If hot/cold sensitivity only lasts momentarily and stops when the exposure is gone, you have probably worn down the enamel of your tooth. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help with this.
If the pain is more severe and lasts for several seconds after exposure to hot or cold temperatures has ceased, you could have a more serious problem. Problems such as tooth decay, fractures, or an exposed root can cause extreme sensitivity to hot and cold.
Dull Ache
The dull ache is a common type of toothache. The first thing you should do if you feel this type of tooth pain is to clean your teeth thoroughly. Sometimes a stuck piece of food can cause inflammation in your gums and send a pain signal. Flossing regularly can help you to avoid this. If you clean and floss your teeth thoroughly and the pain goes away, that is the problem.
If the pain does not go away, a dull aching tooth could be a sign of an abscess. This is a very serious issue and will need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Sharp Pain or Severe Throbbing Pain
Sharp, sudden pain can be an indicator that a filling has come loose or a crown has fallen off. In most cases, you will need to see the dentist as soon as possible. If you are experiencing a toothache in Hazel Park, MI, you will need to seek out emergency dental care. If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact Dr. Weigel at 248-544-9010.