Toothache in the form of a sudden, sharp pain in your teeth while, or just after eating, is a very common condition we see a lot at Quigley Dental. It’s important you book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible once you start experiencing toothache of any kind. You don’t have to suffer with any pain in your teeth and we have solutions for all the reasons behind your tooth pain. These include the following.
Impacted food
There are usually small spaces between your teeth and occasionally bits of food get lodged and then impacted between the teeth. Over time this food creates pressure which eventually leads to discomfort and toothache. The toothache often persists after you’ve finished eating but the good news is we have a number of solutions to resolve the issue and make eating pain-free.
Cavities
Decay in a tooth or teeth or dental erosion will cause a hole to develop in your tooth, this is known as a cavity. The most common cause of toothache or pain in your teeth is from a new developing or existing cavity. If the cavity is left untreated the tooth will decay further causing more pain. The longer the cavity is left untreated the worse the toothache is likely to become.
Left untreated the cavity will increase in size and the bigger it becomes the higher the risk of infection and inflammation of the tooth and root. Unfortunately if the cavity and decay are left for too long the nerve in the root of the tooth can be exposed which often leads to very high levels of pain and the need for more complicated root canal treatment. When it comes to cavity-led toothache the team at Quigley Dental really do promote prevention over cure.
Cavities lead to toothache but if you act quickly and book an immediate appointment with your dentist then the problem is often solved with one visit and a filling.
Not acting quickly and leaving the cavity to get bigger and erode further means your tooth or teeth will weaken and erode the surrounding healthy enamel. This often leads to cracks in your teeth and sometimes the tooth will break and fall apart.
Eroding enamel
We see lots of patients complaining of toothache when they eat hot or cold food. This is often caused by the erosion of the protective enamel that covers a tooth. You may not have developed a cavity at this stage but when the enamel erodes it thins and makes the teeth more sensitive to food that’s hot or cold and patients feel more pain when eating this type of food, as a result.
Dental solutions for toothache
The best solution to all dental problems, including stopping toothache, is prevention. At Quigley Dental we’re happy to advise on what toothpaste you should be using and recommend a good high quality mouthwash. In addition, we’re happy to advise on toothbrushes and techniques for how to brush your teeth effectively. If food is frequently lodged between your teeth you may want to try interdental brushes. These come in varying sizes so regardless of the gaps between your teeth, we’ll find one that fits your needs. Flossing before bedtime is also a good way to keep your teeth and gums clean and we recommend adding this to your dental hygiene regime.
We recommend you have a dental check-up at least once every six months. You may have old fillings that have come loose which may also be contributing to toothache. We can replace these. So acting quickly when pain starts, regular check-ups and a good dental hygiene regime will help resolve and prevent any tooth pain you’re experiencing during or after eating.
If you are looking for a Sidcup dentist for dental treatments, you can contact us to book an appointment today.
