Ever get a toothache? Of course, you have; who hasn’t? At Sundance Dental & Orthodontics in Rio Rancho and Farmington, NM, we stress the importance of good dental care to all our patients. But Murphy’s Law assures us that it will if something can go wrong. And that includes getting a toothache.

What Causes a Toothache?

The most common cause of toothache, by far, is decay. Better known as cavities, decay happens when acids produced by bacteria destroy a tooth’s enamel and the dentin beneath it. Once the dentin is damaged, a tooth becomes very sensitive. That means that a cavity has developed.

A toothache is any kind of pain in the teeth or jaw region that can be caused by factors such as infected gums, cavities, a cracked tooth, misaligned bite, sinus pressure, trauma to the teeth or jaw area, and even gum disease.

If the decay gets too advanced, it can affect the tooth at its root. At that point, there is a high probability that the tooth will become infected. That will take the toothache to a new level of pain and is a grave matter. Call us right away.

Other Causes

As common as cavities are, they are not the only cause of toothache. Tooth pain may also be caused by gum disease. A more common symptom of gum disease is a dull pain in your mouth and sensitive, bleeding gums. But tooth pain often accompanies this. So even if there isn’t any tooth pain, you should call us if you suspect gum disease.

Teeth can also get hairline cracks that may not be visible to the naked eye but will give you pain. The pain could indicate a gap that has made it down to the middle of the tooth, where the root is. On the other hand, it might result from some accident, and it won’t necessarily give you pain immediately.

What To Do?

For each of these issues, we strongly recommend that you come in to see us as soon as possible. In the short term, though, you might relieve pain with one of the following:

• A cold pack, such as an ice bag or a bag of frozen vegetables
• An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen
• A salt water rinse with warm water

But don’t do any of the above until you have scheduled an appointment with us. Mild toothaches are irritating, but they could be something more serious that we’ll want to treat immediately. So don’t take any chances!

We offer emergency and family dentistry at Sundance Dental & Orthodontics in Rio Rancho and Farmington, NM. Schedule your next checkup with us today.

Contact Sundance Dental & Orthodontics:

505-326-6800

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

6588 E Main St
Farmington, New Mexico
87402