Toothache?

*If you are in pain or broke a tooth, call your dentist immediately for an appointment!

If you want to determine more about your sensitivity, here are some questions to ask:

When you feel pain from hot or cold—

1. Is the pain immediate, as if directly on the outside of the tooth?

2. Is the pain delayed, or does it persist for more than two minutes, with it feeling like a throbbing inside the tooth?

When you eat or drink—

1. Does the pain appear to come directly after food or drink?

2. Does the pain start as you begin chewing or when pressing down on the tooth?

When you look at your teeth—

1. Do you have thin enamel or a groove at the side of the gum, all along your back teeth?

2. Do you have a piece of tooth missing, a large old filling, or a cavity (hole) in the area?

If you answered yes to the #1 question, the problem is generally reversible. But if you gave affirmative answers to the #2 questions, your problem is likely caused by an nerve infection that requires treatment. If the nerve inside your tooth dies, bacteria can easily invade the pulp (core tooth layer that contains your nerve) and build up fluid. The inflammatory response from your body creates pressure inside the tooth. So, unless dental care relieves this pressure, it will eventually push into the bone, forming an abscess, which can be painful and dangerous to your overall well-being.

Please book a dental appointment ASAP if you answered yes to the #2 questions. And, while my #1 questions are not emergency visits, they are still urgent enough to book within the week. Your dentist will take x-rays to evaluate your pulp health and diagnose the problem. And, if all goes well, you should be walking out smiling and pain-free!

Disclaimer: These questions merely serve to illuminate the urgency of your dental visit and do not replace any customized treatment plan.