Are You Dealing With a Toothache?

A toothache can be a sign of various oral health concerns, including a cavity or the need for a root canal. If you are dealing with a toothache it is crucial that you see a dentist as soon as possible. Left untreated, the root cause of your toothache could lead to more serious oral health problems. At Family Dental Clinic, Dr. Jay Ahuja is your dentist for toothaches and emergency dentistry in Charlotte, NC.

Toothache Causes

Toothaches can develop as a result of several different causes. One cause requiring urgent dental care is a serious fracture. If you fracture a tooth and it is after normal business hours, it is best to seek treatment from a dental practice offering emergency dentistry services rather than waiting to see a dentist on another day. In Charlotte, emergency dentistry services are offered at Family Dental Clinic. Other causes of toothaches should be treated as soon as possible, but are not necessarily emergencies requiring immediate treatment. Other toothache causes include:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Damaged dental fillings
• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Formation of an abscess below a tooth
• Regularly clenching or grinding the teeth

Treating a Toothache

The method used to treat your toothache will depend on what caused it. A dentist can determine the cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. When a toothache is caused by decay that has resulted in a cavity, treatment can involve clearing away affected areas inside the tooth. Once the decay is removed, the tooth can be thoroughly cleaned out and filled with a dental filling. A similar procedure is used to perform root canal treatment when infection and decay have spread to the tooth root and caused an abscess to form below the tooth.

Impacted wisdom teeth that are causing severe and persistent toothaches can be extracted. Following extraction, any associated tooth pain or discomfort should subside. Toothaches caused by damaged dental fillings can be treated by replacing the damaged filling. For toothaches caused by frequent clenching or grinding of the teeth, especially at night, a mouthguard can be worn. The mouthguard protects the teeth from being worn down from grinding and can resolve any associated tooth pain.

If you are dealing with a toothache, a dentist can help. After identifying the cause of your toothache, the dentist can recommend the right treatment for you. For treatment of your toothache, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ahuja by calling Family Dental Clinic, your dental practice for emergency dentistry in Charlotte, at (704) 536-6655.