You are a bit rushed as you head out the door to DFW airport. As you drive, your head is flooded with items to add to your to-do list. You take your first sip of coffee and are painfully reminded of yet another thing you need to do take care of- your toothache.
Toothache pain is the worst, but they aren’t all created equally. It can be difficult to know what can wait a few days or if an emergency visit to the dentist needs to be scheduled. Here is what you should be looking out for.
How Do I Know What Kind of Toothache I Have?
Although self-diagnosis is a short-term solution, it can be beneficial in understanding the causes, triggers, and significant information about your toothache to give your dentist at your next visit. One of the key ways to distinguish one type of toothache from another is through the kind of pain you are experiencing. Here are some common types of toothaches and the symptoms associated with them.
- Dull pain- Perhaps the most common, this type of toothache is defined by its persistent, dull pain. Although it may be something you can ignore at first, it could be caused by nerve damage or tooth decay.
- Pain when eating- If you experience pain surrounding chewing, then your toothache may be related to tooth decay or a dental fracture.
- Tooth sensitivity- This type of toothache is similar to experiencing pain while eating. However, with tooth sensitivity, the pain is triggered by exposure to extreme temperatures from eating and drinking. This could be a result of aggressive brushing techniques, cavities, or an abscess.
- Throbbing pain- If a toothache progresses to a throbbing pain or occurs seemingly overnight, then it could be warning signs of an infection. This type of toothache can severely impact your health and emergency dental treatment should be sought as soon as possible.
When Should I Seek Treatment?
The pain receptors in your teeth are designed to trigger discomfort, throbbing, and soreness when there is a possible threat to your health or damage to your tooth. For that reason, it is of the utmost importance that you seek dental treatment even for a seemingly insignificant toothache. In more extreme cases, like throbbing pain, then visiting your chosen dentist for an emergency visit should be scheduled within 24 hours. Thankfully, each type of toothache pain can be treated quickly with a visit to your dentist. Check this task off your to-do list by giving them a call today!
About Bridlewood Dental
For over three decades, Bridlewood Dental has created a one-of-a-kind experience by focusing on listening to each of their patients and delivering the highest quality of care. As a Flower Mound dentist, Dr. Rodger Song has provided people of all ages a positive dental experience that results in healthy, beautiful smiles. Bridlewood Dental can be reached at their website or by phone at 972-957-3707.