Normally, your teeth aren't sensitive. But, now, one tooth hurts when you drink something cold. What's happening? At Ash
& Roberts, DDS in Centralia, WA we think of ourselves as pain-free dentists. When a patient sees Dr. Steven Ash or Dr. Brian Roberts, he or she will get an accurate diagnosis of the problem and find relief.
What causes a toothache?
Many things can. Some are related to a disease process. Others are simple wear and tear, age and deterioration of existing restorations such as crowns or fillings.
To uncover the reasons behind your throbbing toothache or dental sensitivity, your pain-free dentist in Centralia will perform a complete oral examination of your teeth and gums and take digital X-rays to reveal problems with the roots or bone structure.
Typically, Dr. Ash or Dr. Robert discover painful issues such as:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease (from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis)
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Dental abscess, or infection
- Dental sensitivity due to thin enamel or exposed roots
- Cracked fillings or crowns will allow bacteria to invade interior pulp
- Poorly aligned teeth which can lead to headaches and jaw pain, too
- Impaction (a wisdom tooth fully or partially encased in gum tissue or bone)
Relieving a toothache
When dental pain persists, contact our dental office right away for an emergency appointment. In the meantime, here are some pain relief strategies to employ at home:
- Take over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Place ice on a swollen jaw (10 minutes on and 10 minutes off).
- Apply a warm compress to a painful jaw or cheek.
- Rinse with warm salt water (one tablespoon of salt to one cup of water). This can reduce gum swelling and draw out drainage.
Then, at the office, your dentist will advise the right restorative treatment to end your discomfort. Some restorations which stop pain are:
- Dental fillings for decay
- Porcelain crowns for cracked, chipped, decayed or infected teeth
- Root canal therapy which removes inflamed interior pulp and seals and crowns the tooth
- Bite guards, acrylic devices worn at night to prevent teeth clenching and grinding
- Orthodontics for pain stemming from malocclusions such as crowding, overbite, gaps and more
You can feel better
The team at Ash & Roberts, DDS want you to have great oral health and remain pain-free. Please call the office if have a toothache or a concern about the health of a tooth. Phone (360) 736-8380.
