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At United Dental Clinic, we consider toothaches dental emergencies, especially if the pain is increasing or is accompanied by swelling. Toothaches let you know something is wrong and should be addressed by your Warriewood dentist.
If you’ve bumped your tooth and experience temporary discomfort that eases over the next hour, this is likely superficial and will not require an emergency dental appointment.
However, if you are unsure, we encourage you to contact a dental team member for guidance.
5 Most Common Reasons You Might Have a Toothache
1 Tooth Root Infection
A tooth root infection can be excruciating, and without intervention from an emergency dentist, you risk increased pain, losing the tooth and infection spread. Tooth root infections may be the most common cause of toothache.
2 Deep Tooth Decay
Without intervention from your dentist, tooth decay can spread. In severe cases, it can reach the tooth canal and cause infection. Untreated decay may also lead to tooth crumbling and pain. Unfortunately, you may not notice that you have a cavity until it is advanced, which is why regular dental check-ups and teeth cleans are so vital.
3 Brushing or Flossing too Aggressively
When brushing your teeth, you should employ a circular motion that ensures you reach the gumline. It’s also essential to clean all surfaces, spending at least a few minutes. Your dentist recommends a soft-bristled toothbrush. When flossing, never force the string, and always use a fresh section of your floss for each passthrough.
4 Oral Injury
Competing in sports, especially ball-oriented athletics puts you at risk for injuries to the face and mouth. Therefore, we encourage our patients to wear a fitted mouthguard when playing.
5 Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity can result from over-whitening or using products that are not safe for your oral health profile. It may also result from weak or thin enamel. Your dentist may talk to you about Fluoride treatments to address this issue.
About Root Canal Treatment
As mentioned, tooth root infections are likely the most common cause of toothache. If you have this type of infection, you may notice some or all of the following symptoms:
- Toothache
- Jaw swelling
- Face swelling
- Blister on the gum
- Tooth discolouration
- Discharge near the painful tooth
Remember, you don’t have to present with every symptom to be diagnosed with a tooth root infection.
If your Warriewood dentist does diagnose you with a root infection, we numb the treatment area, extract the infection, flush the canal, and seal off the tooth temporarily using a rubber-like material. Then, at a future appointment, we either cap the tooth with a dental crown or close it with a tooth-coloured filling.
We only use tooth-coloured fillings if the infection was minimal and did not compromise your tooth’s structure. However, root-canal-treated teeth usually require a dental crown to protect against future breakage. Your crown is custom designed to match your smile.
Most patients report feeling much better after root canal treatment. However, you may notice slight discomfort after the anesthesia wears off. This is treatable with over-the-counter pain relievers and typically does not last long.
Emergency Dental Services in Warriewood, NSW
Dental emergencies can be discouraging, forcing you to change your plans. Toothaches are especially disheartening because they rob you of sleep and disrupt your well-being. Fortunately, we offer a wide range of emergency services to ease pain and restore oral health.
Other dental emergencies include but are not limited to:
- Broken tooth
- Broken restoration
- Oral injury
- Object stuck in teeth
It’s difficult to imagine every potential emergency. So, if ever you’re unsure, we encourage you to contact a dental team member for guidance.
Lowering Your Dental Emergency Risks
Because oral (or tooth root) infections are likely the most common cause of toothache, it’s important to guard against them.
- Brush and floss your teeth on schedule daily.
- Visit your Warriewood dentist on time for check-ups and teeth cleans.
- Talk to your dentist if you notice oral health changes that do not improve.
Have a Toothache? We Encourage You to Contact Our Emergency Dentist
Remember, toothaches are a way to tell you something is wrong. If you have a toothache or other signs of a dental emergency in the Northern Beaches area, we encourage you to contact our dental clinic as soon as possible.