Don’t Ignore a Toothache

No one wants a toothache ruining their summer fun! If you have a toothache, don’t delay seeking treatment for too long. A toothache is often a sign that there is something wrong inside your mouth. Unfortunately, many people try to ignore the discomfort and hope the problem will resolve on its own. Here are a few reasons to call your dentist next time you start experiencing tooth pain.

Potential for Infection

A toothache can be a sign of an underlying dental infection. This is especially true if you have an abscess on the affected tooth. Ignoring a toothache can cause infection to spread to surrounding tissue, other teeth, and even other areas of your body. Getting treatment promptly can prevent the infection from worsening and causing systemic health problems.

Pain and Discomfort

If your toothache has not affected your daily activities yet, you might think you can wait longer for treatment. That is not the case though. Toothache pain and discomfort can increase quickly, especially once an infection sets in. If the infection reaches the nerve and root of the tooth, you could experience significant pain and discomfort. When that happens, if often turns into a dental emergency. 

Risk of Tooth Loss

If you postpone getting treatment for your toothache, there is reason for concern for risk of tooth loss. This can happen for a couple of reasons. If you wait too long, the damage might become so severe that your dentist needs to extract the tooth. It’s even possible the root may become so weakened that your tooth could fall out on its own. Luckily, tooth loss can often be avoided by getting treatment for your toothache right away. If decay or infection are caught in time, your dentist will provide you with options to restore the tooth.

Increased Dental Problems

Left untreated, an underlying problem from a toothache can lead to additional dental problems. For instance, if your toothache is due to gingivitis, it can be treated with a basic dental cleaning. However, if it’s left untreated, you could end up with periodontal disease, which would put all your teeth at risk of dental problems. Additionally, periodontal disease, is linked to many other health issues that can occur in the body.

Increased Bad Breath

If you are avoiding dental care for your toothache, your breath might be affected. Toothache pain can increase your chances of developing bad breath, especially if you wait too long for treatment. That is because tooth decay and infection can create bacteria that cause bad breath. One way to keep your breath smelling fresh is to see a dentist at the first sign of a toothache.

Do not take your chances with a toothache. Seeing your dentist right away when a toothache arises can result in resolving it with only a dental cleaning or filling, and avoiding the need for a root canal, crown, gum surgery or even tooth loss. Call your dentist to diagnose the source of the pain and help you maintain your oral and overall physical health.