What Can Cause a Toothache?

A toothache could come in the form of intense or throbbing pain around a tooth, radiating pain throughout the jaw, or increased tooth sensitivity, and be accompanied by swollen and bleeding gums. A toothache is not normal and should not be ignored. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong!

In this blog post, we go over the main causes of a toothache and how you can find relief at Donald Kim, DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Monroe, WA.

Infection

A dental infection is usually caused by bacteria overgrowth, either due to neglect, poor diet, or smoking and tobacco use. An infection usually begins as decay that spreads deep into the pulp, the soft innermost layer of a tooth that consists of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. If bacteria infect this sensitive inner part of the tooth, it can cause varying degrees of pain.

Although the pain may stop if the pulp dies, this is not a good sign. A necrotic tooth will eventually fall out, but the infection can spread to your bone, soft tissue, and bloodstream. This can result in sepsis, your body’s potentially fatal response to serious infection.

Infections must be treated with antibiotics. If a tooth infection is identified in its early stages, the tooth may be preserved with root canal therapy. Otherwise, it will need to be extracted.




Injury

Your natural teeth are not immune to injury. Chips, cracks, and breakage can happen if you bite down wrong on something hard, are hit while playing sports, or grind your teeth at night. Trauma to teeth irritates the sensitive nerves and tissues inside your tooth and also increases your risk of infection and tooth loss.

There are several cosmetic and restorative options to fix a damaged tooth and restore your smile, such as dental bonding, same-day crowns, veneers, and dental implants. Donald Kim, DDS, offers emergency dental services to bring peace of mind in even the most stressful of dental emergencies!

Our office can also fit you with a custom athletic mouthguard and night guards to protect your smile from future injury.




Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can cause your gums to separate from your teeth, exposing the sensitive root of your teeth to decay and infection.

Gum inflammation, irritation, and infection may require improved oral hygiene, a balanced diet, antibiotics, and a deep cleaning with scaling and root planing.

Emergency Dentist in Monroe, WA

Donald Kim, DDS, can determine the cause of your toothache and recommend a treatment plan to eliminate your pain. Contact us today for an emergency appointment!

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