09 Apr Never Ignore a Toothache

If you have a tooth that’s bothering you, it’s hard to convince yourself that it’s worth your time to leave and go to the dentist to have it checked out. After all, a toothache isn’t anything serious, right?

Well, the opposite is true. A toothache that persists and either starts to hurt worse or just doesn’t go away is usually a sign of an underlying problem that Dr. Audrey Kemp will need to diagnose and treat.

Let’s look at a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t ever ignore a toothache.

Could indicate cavities

One of the most common causes of toothaches is a cavity. While they’re not terribly serious, if you let them go untreated a cavity can have devastating effects on the health of its tooth and surrounding teeth. You don’t want to take that health risk.

Tooth infection

Occasionally, teeth can become infected. This is called an abscess and is home to a host of bacteria you definitely don’t want in your mouth. An abscessed tooth can cause tooth death, decay, tooth loss, and even gum disease if the infection isn’t caught, treated, and stopped quickly.

Enamel erosion

Lastly, consistent tooth pain, or pain when eating particularly cold things or when biting, can indicate erosion of enamel. Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth and what protects them from harm and infection.

If you have a toothache there’s no shame in coming in to see our team at Bull City Dental in Durham, North Carolina, as soon as possible. Call 919-680-3531 today to schedule an appointment.