You’re eating when all of a sudden, disaster strikes: you feel an unbearably sharp pain in your teeth when you bite down.
In some cases, pain can even flare up unexpectedly without any identifiable cause!
If you relate to that situation, you’re not alone – most of us have experienced a toothache at some stage of our lives.
If you’re unlucky, you might even recall a time when you couldn’t eat or even function due to the excruciating pain in your teeth!
Are you suffering a dental emergency? Need to speak to an emergency dentist?
Don’t hesitate to call our 24/7 dentist hotline for immediate advice:
What is a toothache?
Toothache is one of the most common types of orofacial pain; that is, pain felt in the face, jaw and mouth areas.
Despite the name, toothache pain takes a variety of different forms:
- Some toothaches feel like a constant, dull throbbing
- Others take the form of an ache when you bite
- Some people feel a sharp pain when they drink a cold beverage or take a breath
No matter the cause, most toothaches have one thing in common: they are generally a symptom of an underlying dental health issue that only a dentist can investigate and diagnose.
The causes of toothache are many and varied, but the most common source of toothaches we see at Dental Care Group is dental cavities caused by tooth decay.
Poor dental hygiene and diet can cause your enamel to decay, exposing the sensitive insides of your teeth to the elements!
Besides tooth decay, toothache can also be caused by the following:
- Infected gums
- Damaged fillings
- Tooth damage including fractures
- An abscessed tooth
- Tooth grinding.
Do you have a toothache?
Anyone who’s ever suffered through a toothache will remember the throbbing and constant pain. And if you haven’t, well, now you know what to look out for!
However, there are other, less immediately-obvious symptoms of toothache such as:
- Fever
- Headache
- Swelling around the tooth
- Bad breath
Help, I think I have a toothache!
If it hurts, it’s an emergency.
That’s our mantra at Dental Care Group!
Your pain may subside on its own, but that is in no way assurance that the underlying issue has, too!
In many cases, your toothache can come back with a vengeance if you don’t get it sorted out immediately.
And if your pain is severe, has lasted for than a couple days, or is accompanied by fever or earache, drop what you’re doing and talk to your dentist, ASAP!
Your dentist will help you by diagnosing the root cause of your toothache, before charting a course towards recovery.
It’s imperative that we make an accurate diagnosis, as this will dictate the most suitable dental treatment!
Want our advice? Dental emergencies such as toothaches need to be looked at by an emergency dentist like Dr Zelman at Dental Care Group.
If you call or book an appointment online before 12pm, you’re guaranteed to see Dr Zelman before close of business.
What happens when I go to the emergency dentist Armadale?
When you come in to have your toothache examined, expect your dentist to begin by asking you about your medical history.
This is followed by a physical examination of your teeth.
We will also examine your gums, mouth, tongue and jaw – and we might even look at your throat, ears, nose, neck and sinuses!
For a dentist to better understand what you are going through, we will also question you on the nature of your pain.
We might ask questions like:
- How severe is the pain?
- When did the pain start?
- Where is it located?
- Is the pain constant, or does it flare up when you eat or drink?
- Is the pain dull, sharp, etc.?
We may also x-ray your teeth to gain better insight into the cause behind your pain.
Are you an anxious dentist visitor? Read our blog post to find out how we can help you overcome your fear of the dentist.
How will toothache be treated?
Now comes the big question: how will your emergency dentist treat your toothache?
Once the exact cause of your toothache has been identified, your dentist will work with you to put together an effective treatment plan.
If the cause has been determined to be cavity, for example, your dentist might recommend getting a filling or perhaps a tooth extraction.
And in cases where infection has spread to the inside of your teeth, endodontic treatments like root canal is a suitable treatment to get rid of an ache once and for all.
Finally, your dentist will also discuss how to maintain your dental health once your treatment is complete. Explore our oral hygiene program here.
If you’re wondering how to find an emergency dentist near you on weekends, you can check out this article.
Are you experiencing severe toothache?
Get emergency treatment from Armadale’s best emergency dentist!
A toothache, no matter how severe, should never be ignored.
It’s a tell-tale sign that something is wrong, and if not treated immediately, can escalate into a far more complicated dental problem.
Remember, if it hurts – it’s an emergency!
It’s now time to reach out to your local Armadale dentist for immediate support and the right toothache treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns about our dental practice and how we can assist you during your dental emergency, don’t hesitate get in touch – call us on (03) 9509 1500 or fill in this form and we will be in touch!
You can also book your appointment online here.
