Tooth pain can be one of the most terrible experiences you can go through. Unfortunately, many people tend to ignore the overall health and care of their teeth until that pain becomes unbearable. That’s when visiting a dentist is absolutely imperative.
When you’re in that kind of pain, it can be hard to think about anything else. But, it’s important to understand some possible underlying reasons why you might be experiencing tooth pain, to begin with, and when you should see a Castro Valley, CA dentist to find relief.
What Causes Tooth Pain?
There are many different factors to consider if you’re experiencing pain in your tooth (or teeth). Some of the causes are more obvious, like biting into something hard or getting something stuck between your teeth.
But, the most common cause of a toothache is either infection or decay. More often than not, if you’re experiencing tooth pain, you’ve probably got a cavity or a more serious infection to consider, like Periodontitis, which can damage your gums and your jawbone.
No matter what causes it, tooth pain is nothing to take lightly. As soon as you start to experience pain, don’t assume you just have to deal with it or that it will pass on its own. Seeing a dentist as quickly as possible is important, especially if you have an infection that needs to be treated.
Finding Temporary Relief
While making an emergency appointment for tooth pain with your Castro Valley CA dentist is the first thing you should do, you can help to ease the pain slightly while you wait by applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek where the affected tooth is. You can also take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications that can help to reduce any swelling and provide some relief.
When to See a Dentist
You shouldn’t wait to see a dentist when you have tooth pain. Waiting too long can allow an infection to become worse, and potentially dangerous if it spreads to other areas of your head or body. A cavity won’t clear up on its own either and will continue to decay your tooth and possibly spread to others.
A good rule of thumb? If your tooth pain is intense and consistent, it’s probably a more serious problem that needs to be looked at right away.
Too much decay will not only cause more pain, but it may lead to you eventually needing to have some teeth extracted. While there are solutions for restoring your smile following an extraction, it’s always better to keep your own teeth and take proper care of them, if possible.
Whether you know the cause of your tooth pain or not, you don’t have to keep living with it for another day. If you have tooth pain in Castro Valley, CA, contact Redwood Valley Dentistry today to set up an appointment. If you have an infection, it may be treatable with medication. Cavities can often be filled so they don’t cause decay on other teeth.
The sooner a dentist takes a look at your teeth, the sooner you can find relief!
