If you’ve ever had tooth pain before, describing it can be difficult at first. Sometimes the pain is present and other times it isn’t. It can be mild to severe and only occur when performing certain functions, such as chewing. Other times it can be so intense that you can’t even get out of bed. According to your emergency dentist in Harrisonburg, distinguishing pain is the first step to understanding what the cause of the pain could be.
The sooner you get to your dentist, the faster he can provide an effective treatment for your tooth pain.
Sharp Tooth Sensitivity
Pain like this typically occurs only when you expose your teeth to very cold or hot temperatures. For example, drinking hot tea or eating a spoonful of ice cream can trigger a sharp jabbing sensation in your tooth as it reacts to this stimulus.
This pain can be caused by a cavity, abscess, gum recession, or simple crack in your tooth enamel. If the pain is severe or doesn’t go away, contact your dentist.
A Dull Toothache That Won’t Go Away
One of the most common types of tooth pain patients experience is a dull and persistent yet deep pain. This indicates possible nerve damage or simple tooth decay. This pain is also common in people who grind their teeth, which wears down tooth enamel quite easily.
While the pain is usually mild and can be staved off with painkillers, you’ll still want to schedule an appointment with your dentist to receive fillings or a nightguard to protect yourself from future grinding.
Pain That Occurs When Chewing
If you only notice pain when chewing foods, it’s most likely due to a dental fracture or tooth decay. This pain can also be easily managed with pain medication, but you should still visit your dentist to prevent future decay from forming.
Pain in the Back of the Jaw
This pain is particularly important to recognize because it’s more likely tied to wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth become impacted, it means their eruption has been blocked by existing teeth. Without removal, impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, inflammation, and eventually infection. In this circumstance, get to your emergency dentist in Harrisonburg as soon as possible.
Pain That Throbs
Throbbing pain may also come with swelling, indicating that a tooth has become abscessed and/or infected. This is not a problem that should be put off as infections can easily cause future health problems, regardless of where they form. Schedule a visit to your dentist either the same day if possible, or at the very least the next day.
Don’t let tooth pain ruin your day. Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Harrisonburg to get your dental issue promptly addressed!
About the Author
Dr. Mario DeNicola earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the State University of New York at the Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. If you believe that you’re experiencing a dental emergency, feel free to call and get additional advice for your condition at (540) 432-6616. You can also visit his website.