Having toothache can be anywhere from mildly irritating to horribly painful, and can cause great sensitivity to temperature, along with discomfort when chewing. The most common causes of toothache are tooth decay, gum disease, inflammation of the tooth pulp, a cracked or damaged tooth or an abscess. It is very difficult for the untrained eye to spot what is wrong and without the tooth giving us a warning something is wrong by causing pain, we might not realise there is a problem until things have really deteriorated. The earlier the problem is addressed, the easier and normally cheaper it is to fix.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is caused when plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria collects on the enamel of the tooth. Feeding on sugars and starches found in food particles in the mouth, it creates an acid which attacks the enamel, gradually eating away at it, forming holes and weak spots. Left unaddressed a cavity will begin to form, which while in itself not necessarily painful, the decay will spread towards the inner layers of the tooth, which will cause sensitivity to temperature and touch, before starting to really cause discomfort and pain.
Inflamed Tooth Pulp
Known as pulpitis, it is caused by inflammation of the central portion of the tooth called pulp. Rich in nerves and blood vessels, once inflamed, it causes pressure to build within the tooth and the surrounding tissues with pain ranging from sensitivity to temperatures, through to constant and throbbing pain. Left unattended, the problem is going to get worse as the infection spreads towards the centre of the tooth and can quickly lead to bigger and more serious dental problems.
Tooth Abscess
An abscess forms when decay of the tooth reaches the point of affecting the root, at which point it is highly likely that both the root and surrounding tissues become infected. This often causes a widespread throbbing pain, making it difficult to identify exactly which tooth is creating the problem. Leaving this unattended is really not a wise decision, as it can result in loss of bone and tissue, as well as the tooth in question.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the biggest factors that lead toward tooth loss. Gingivitis causes the gums to become swollen, inflamed and red and angry. Left untreated in can turn into periodontitis, an infection which can cause bone loss, and major deterioration of the gums health, which can become detached from the tooth, allowing pockets of bacteria to further exacerbate the situation. Left untreated periodontitis will normally lead to loss of at least one tooth.
Getting Treatment
While that discussed thus far covers some of the common problems, it is by no means comprehensive. Visiting your local dentist, such as Everton Park based dentist Swish Dental, at the first hint of a problem for prompt diagnosis is a smart move. A minor problem such as a small cavity, which can be dealt with swiftly and cheaply with a filling, can stop significantly bigger problems from developing.
Don’t Ignore It
Dental problems are not like other infections we pick up from time to time, like a common cold, which passes in a few days. Once the enamel of a tooth is compromised, the problem is not going to go away on its own, and the longer you leave it, the bigger and more expensive, not to mention painful, the issue is going to become.
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