Find out why you’re suddenly grabbing your face in pain and what to do about it. 

Is there anything worse than a toothache? If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a throbbing, aching tooth then you know what we’re talking about. The problem is that while aches and pains in the body may go away with a little rest, dental pain and other issues won’t go away without seeing our Cedar Rapids, IA, family dentists Dr. Amy Stodola and Dr. Renee Maikon for care.

A Toothache = an Emergency 

This means that even mild pain should be checked out by a dentist here in Cedar Rapids, IA, who can determine the source of the pain and then treat the problem so it doesn’t get worse. While teeth are incredibly strong and impressive structures, they do not have the ability to heal themselves. This is why you need to visit a dentist if you notice a toothache.

Causes of a Toothache

There are many reasons that a toothache can happen. The most common cause is tooth decay. Decay will continue to spread deeper into the tooth, where it can affect the nerve. Once the nerve of the tooth is impacted this is where pain sets in. Pain may range from mild to excruciating, but all severities of dental pain (even minor ones) warrant visiting a dentist.

Along with decay, other causes of a toothache include,

• An infected or inflamed dental pulp (this will require root canal therapy)
• Gum disease
• A broken or cracked tooth
• Other dental trauma
• A bad bite
• Teeth grinding (known as bruxism)
• Tooth sensitivity
• Erupting teeth or impacted wisdom teeth

It’s important to be able to recognize when something about your smile just doesn’t feel right. Examine your mouth and look for problems such as red, puffy gums or an abscess (a sign of a bacterial infection). These are all problems that require immediate treatment. If you have an infection you may also notice,

• Fever
• Pus or discharge
• Persistent and severe pain
• Pain that is worse when you bite down

If you are dealing with a toothache here in Cedar Rapids, IA, it’s important that you have a dentist that you can call for immediate care. Here at Family SmileCare Center, we are happy to handle any of your family’s dental needs, from routine checkups to emergency dentistry. Call us at (319) 362-8657 to learn more.