A Disappearing Toothache Could Be a Sign of Something Worse

That toothache isn’t going to go away by itself, and if you have been going through a bottle of clove oil in a day or two, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

According to AAE.org, leaving a toothache to its own devices can cause serious problems, and without dental care, it could turn into a nasty abscess. An abscess isn’t much fun and can cause other complications including a trip to the E.R. and even death.

A tooth abscess is literally a pocket of puss caused by an infection in or around your tooth. Unfortunately, not all people feel pain when an abscess occurs, but if you do notice an ache in the bone that is around your tooth, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist, as this is probably the most common symptom when it comes to a tooth abscess. If you have a continuous and severe throbbing or gnawing pain or shooting and sharp pains, you could be dealing with an abscessed tooth. Other signs that you may have a tooth abscess include, but are not limited to, 

• Gum swelling
• Pain when chewing
• Fever
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
• Constant bad breath
• Swollen neck glands
• Bitter taste in your mouth
• Feeling ill or uneasy
• General discomfort
• Swelling and redness of the gums
• Upper or lower jaw swelling
• An open sore that could be draining on the side of your gum 

If the pulp inside your tooth dies from the infection your toothache may suddenly stop, however, that does not mean that you are out of the woods and magically healed. Once the pulp dies, the infection in your tooth will remain active, spread, and continue to destroy tissue. The only way to get rid of the infection is to see your dentist, even if you are out of pain.

Dental abscesses are usually treated with endodontic surgery or more commonly a root canal. Root canals are no more painful than a filling. During a root canal, your dentist will remove all of the bacteria and dead tissue from the canals in the roots of your teeth before cleaning, shaping, and filling the root canals. Once satisfied your dentist will either place a permanent or temporary filling depending on the severity of the infection.

After your root canal procedure, your dentist will ask you to come back for another visit to place a dental restoration, such as a crown, over the top to restore and protect it. Once your root canal and dental restoration are completed, your tooth will function just as it used to.

If you have a nagging toothache, or one that just disappeared, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. A dental abscess really can be dangerous and should not be overlooked. Call or click today.

What you should know about Pulp Disease

Although a number of things, including a broken tooth or an injury to your mouth, can cause pulp disease, the American Dental Association explains that pulp disease is usually a result of poor oral hygiene.

Brushing twice and flossing once each day along with a healthy diet and regular checkups with your dentist can help prevent pulp disease. If you have dental caries, it can affect the pulp in the soft center of your tooth or teeth. Your pulp is loaded with blood vessels, nerves and delicate tissue, that when disturbed, could become diseased. Head to your dentist as quickly as possible, as those cavities could lead to missing teeth.

Your dentist explains that there are several different types of pulp disease.

Reversible pulpitis is a mild inflammation in the center of your tooth. Symptoms usually include pain when you eat or drink, or when your teeth are exposed to hot, cold or something sweet. Without treatment, your pulpitis could cause an abscess, which is a collection of pus and bacteria. Improve your oral health habits to help offset reversible pulptitis and see your dentist as quickly as possible as you may need a dental filling if you break or crack a tooth.

Irreversible pulpitis is actually an inflammation so severe in the center of your tooth that there is no cure. In other words, you may need root canal therapy. If your root canal doesn’t help, your dentist may have to extract your tooth.

Dental pulp stones also known as dental pulp calcification are a condition that hardens your pulp tissue causing extreme pain and hypersensitivity. If you have dental pulp stones, your dental nerves are becoming compressed. Root canals are usually the only answer when it comes to dental stones as the hardened tissue is cleared away during the root canal treatment.

One of the most painful pulp diseases occurs when the pulp in your teeth become exposed. Dental pulp exposure is a condition that occurs when there has been damage done to the enamel or external covering of your tooth. If you have a crack or cavity in your tooth, your pulp becomes exposed making it easy for food particles and bacteria to make their way into the center of your tooth. Pain is usually the first and most noticeable symptom. You may also have a mild infection that if left untreated, could result in a serious abscess. Depending on how exposed your pulp is, a root canal may help, otherwise you may need to have your tooth pulled.

If you are experiencing sensitivity, sudden or intense pain in your mouth, or have an infection, you could be suffering from pulp disease. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today for more information.