Don’t Ignore Your
Toothaches!

Have you been experiencing a toothache that is persistent,
painful, or debilitating? There could be a number of causes for this
toothache but only one way to know; going to the dentist! Though it may not
always be a serious issue, sometimes a simple toothache can be
life-threatening.

What Could Cause a Toothache?

Adult toothaches can stem from a bad bite, a cracked tooth, dying
nerves, infection, or Temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Diagnosing an adult toothache used to be a difficult job for dentists because
it was almost like trial and error. Nowadays, we have great technologies that
allow us to narrow down the causes so we can quickly find the
problem.

It is important to go to the dentist as soon as you notice the
toothache because ignoring it won’t work. There has never been a
toothache caused by a cavity or cracked tooth that healed
itself.

When you come into the dentist with a toothache, we will work with
you, ask you questions about your symptoms, and take x-rays so that we are
sure to cover all of the possibilities.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Toothache

However, with adults who do not have fillings, cracked teeth, or
any of the symptoms of infection or nerve damage, we have to investigate if
you are a TMJ case. TMJ is a syndrome that causes pain in the mouth back
towards your ears.

It is uncommon, but it is possible that an unattended toothache
can eventually lead to serious, life-threatening issues. Your mouth is the
entryway to your entire body and connected to all your vital
organs.

We had a patient who was an actor who was in between jobs and
didn’t have dental insurance, so he decided to not go to the dentist
for his toothache. It turned out that he had an infection in his tooth that
eventually spread to his heart, and he passed away because it had gone too
far.

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The moral of the story is that it is important to go to the
dentist even for that minor toothache because you never know why it is
happening until you do. And, your tooth isn’t going to heal
itself!

If you are experiencing a toothache, contact us at Bilski Family
Dentistry. We can help you diagnose and treat the root of the problem and
keep you and your mouth healthy and pain-free!