Whether your tooth pain comes as a sudden surprise or has been persistent for days now, it’s important to address these unexpected symptoms as soon as you can to prevent further harm to your smile. Read on to learn about the four most common types of tooth pain, what they could mean, and how you should handle them.
1. Sensitivity to Hot & Cold Foods
One of the top types of tooth pain that people experience is sensitivity whenever they eat or drink anything hot or cold. The good news is that this isn’t always a sign that you have an oral health problem. However, if it happens outside of eating foods or you notice that it primarily impacts a tooth with a filling or crown, then you will want to schedule a checkup with your dentist in Irving. Sometimes, sensitivity can be a sign of a loose or failing dental restoration. If this isn’t the case, you may be able to address the issue by simply using toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth.
2. Sharp Pain While Biting Down or Chewing
If you experience an intense and sharp pain whenever you’re eating, this could be the sign of a cracked or infected tooth. This should always warrant a visit to your local emergency dentist so they can take a closer look and determine the cause of your discomfort. In some cases, treatment like a root canal may be needed, or you may require a dental crown or filling.
3. Unexpected, Consistent & Severe Pain
Severe and persistent pain paired with other symptoms such as inflammation of the gums and sensitivity to touch or hot and cold could be a sign that you have a tooth infection. The only way to diagnose this issue is to receive an X-ray and examination from your emergency dentist. They will be able to let you know whether the issue can be treated with a root canal or if you require an extraction.
4. Discomfort After a Procedure
If you have recently received a dental procedure and are experiencing sensitivity or pain, it is likely a sign that your tooth is healing. However, if the pain gets worse or continues to persist after two weeks, you may want to contact your dentist for further inspection. If you received a dental crown or filling, you might need to have it adjusted to properly seal off your tooth.
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq has over a decade of experience and offers same-day emergency care for patients in pain. His goal is to preserve your natural smile as well as erase your discomfort, allowing you to return to your daily life as soon as possible. For questions or to schedule an examination, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.