If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how uncomfortable they are. Dental pain can make it difficult to eat, concentrate, and get enough sleep at night. Not all kinds of toothaches require an emergency dental visit, but some need to be treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Read on to learn about three kinds of toothaches that aren’t a dental emergency and five that are.
3 Types of Non-Urgent Tooth Pain
Though any kind of dental pain should be examined by your dentist, there are a few types of toothaches that aren’t urgent, including:
- Pain or discomfort at the back of the mouth – This type of toothache is uncommon and may be caused by wisdom teeth that are impacted or are growing in incorrectly. They will need to be extracted to ease the discomfort.
- Flashes of sensitivity –If you experience brief moments of sensitivity after a tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures, this may be a sign that it has a cavity, broken filling, or small crack. This will require treatment before the tooth becomes infected.
- A constant, dull ache – Non-specific pain in your mouth may be caused by a range of issues, including a gum infection or teeth grinding.
5 Types of Urgent Toothaches
Now that we’ve covered the kinds of toothaches that aren’t a dental emergency, ones that require immediate treatment from a dentist include:
- Tooth darkening –If your tooth has become dark or discolored, the inside of the tooth near the nerves may be injured. This will require prompt treatment to save the tooth.
- Long-lasting, intense pain –Severe toothaches that last longer than a day may be due to an infection and require prompt treatment.
- Sharp pain when biting down –Sharp, intense pain when you bite down or chew food may indicate that the area around the roots of your tooth is infected. This will need to be treated as soon as possible to keep in from falling out.
- Small bump on the gums –A small, pimple-like, pus-filled bump on the gums near a painful tooth is called a dental abscess and is caused by an infection.
- Numb teeth – A toothache that suddenly goes numb may mean that the nerves inside of the tooth are damaged or infected.
Though tooth pain is often caused by things like minor cavities, they can sometimes be the result of serious oral health issues. If you have a toothache, make sure to contact your dentist and explain the kind of pain you’re experiencing. They will be able to determine if it’s urgent and will have you come in as soon as possible to administer treatment and get your smile back on track!
About the Practice
If you’re experiencing a toothache and need treatment, Glastonbury Dental Associates is here to help. Their team consists of four talented Glastonbury dentists who take pride in helping patients maintain healthy smiles. They offer emergency dental services so they can get to the root of your toothache and give you the care you need to enjoy a pain-free beam. Are you interested in making an appointment or do you want to learn more about their emergency dental services? If so, call Glastonbury Dental Associates’ office at (860) 633-3671 or visit their website to get started.