Why Do I Have a Tooth Ache? Elmhurst IL

Common Causes of Toothaches

Toothaches can occur for many reasons. The most common causes of dental pain include cavities, gum disease, dental abscesses, and dental trauma.

If you are experiencing any of these, it is important for you to contact us at Cameo Dental Specialists and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists in Elmhurst.

Dental Cavities

Cavities cause tooth pain, sensitivity, holes in your teeth, and black, brown, or white stains. You can see or feel holes in your teeth when you have a cavity. Food can get caught in these holes and you may even see it in your mouth.

Leaving cavities untreated will lead to more tooth damage and pain, which will require more invasive and expensive treatment.

Gum Disease

The most common symptoms of gum disease are gum tissue inflammation, bleeding (especially when brushing your teeth), tenderness, and chronic bad breath.

Advanced gum disease will show severe versions of these symptoms. This includes general signs of active infection in a more severe capacity. For instance, bleeding gums and bad breath will change from occasional to daily symptoms.

Dental Abscess

Problems come when the pulp or nerve of a tooth becomes damaged. This rupture allows a proliferation of bacteria inside the tooth, where the pulp is located. Bacteria, or even decayed debris, can easily cause a tooth infection or abscess (a pocket of pus present at the base of the tooth’s roots). An untreated abscess can damage more than just a tooth, so it is a situation you never want to ignore.

Dental Trauma

There are several different types of dental trauma, including soft tissue injuries, bone injuries, and tooth injuries. We can provide treatment for all of these issues. Please request an appointment in Elmurst as soon as dental trauma occurs! We have extensive knowledge of the structures in and around your mouth and are very experienced at performing the necessary procedures to restore the health of your mouth. We can also provide you with the best aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Seeking Professional Help

If you have a cavity, it is important to have it filled. The dentist usually removes the affected part of the tooth and fills it. In cases where a filling cannot treat the cavity, tooth extraction is necessary.

Importance of Dental Check-Ups

Having regular dental checkups allows the dentist to diagnose oral issues before they become too large and cause more problems. Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque and acids that cause cavities. Dental checkups at least twice a year are essential for good teeth and gums.

When to See Your Elmhurst Dental Specialist

A good general rule of thumb is to visit the dentist every six months. If you are feeling any discomfort in your mouth, it is important to have it checked out right away. Waiting or avoiding possible dental problems only increases its severity.

Treating Toothaches in Elmhurst IL

The best thing, in case you have one of these toothache symptoms, is to make an appointment with one of our professionals. Please make an appointment here at Cameo Dental Specialists so we can check and treat your toothache accordingly.

Root Canal: Endodontist

The root canal is the internal cavity which is located in the tooth. Inside there is the pulp, the soft part inside the tooth, and the nerve.

During a root canal treatment, which is ideally done by an endodontist, both the pulp and the nerve of the tooth will be extracted and eliminated.

However, there is nothing to worry about, because they are not really necessary for the functionality of the tooth. The absence of the nerve from the tooth, in fact, does not prevent its functioning or health. The nerve is strictly necessary only when the tooth is inside of the gum. Once out, the nerve only serves to transmit sensory information of heat and cold. The fact that there is or not will not change anything.

Gum Disease Treatment: Periodontist

The sooner you can get treatment for gum disease the better. If caught early enough, in the gingivitis stage, the disease can be reversed entirely.

However, even with slight periodontitis, ongoing deep cleaning will be necessary. This occurs every three or four months to clear out any bacteria. Early gingivitis can usually be resolved with deep cleaning and antibiotics.

Tooth Extraction and Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Oral Surgeon

Teeth may need to be extracted after a certain degree of damage. This is because infection can leak into the bloodstream and cause other physical health complications. Other symptoms of illness and infection may start cropping up, such as widespread tenderness and a fever.

Wisdom teeth can cause crowding in the mouth, especially if these teeth become impacted. Visiting an oral surgeon can help determine the state of your wisdom teeth and if you should have them extracted.

FAQs About Toothaches

What Are the Most Common Causes of a Toothache?

Having a cavity or abscess can cause tooth pain and sensitivity, especially when eating or drinking hot, cold, sugary, or acidic foods.

Gum disease can also cause sensitivity in the teeth, especially when eating hot or cold foods or drinks. Your teeth can begin to shift as the gum structure fades away and this can affect your bite.

How Can I Relieve a Toothache at Home?

Before panicking, first wait and see if the toothache is anything to be concerned about. Toothaches often clear up in half an hour or less. If the ache persists, or if you or your child is in severe discomfort, give Cameo Dental Specialists a call. Until you can get into our office, rinse out your mouth with salt water that is just a little bit warm, and apply a compress if there is swelling.

Are Toothaches Always Caused by Cavities?

Toothaches are not always caused by cavities. Toothaches can also result from gum disease, getting food lodged in between your teeth, an abscess, dental or facial trauma, or having an impacted tooth.

Can Gum Sensitivity Cause Toothaches?

When you have gum disease your gums start to recede and can begin forming bacteria pockets. As the bacteria pockets grow even deeper, as the gum disease worsens, pus will eventually begin to ooze out of them. This can be uncomfortable. The teeth can also become more sensitive as the gum tissue weakens.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Specialists in Elmhurst, IL Today!

We want to provide our patients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their oral care. Call (630) 425-4488 to schedule a cleaning and exam at Cameo Dental Specialists.