The most common cause of a toothache, by far, is a cavity. The pain from tooth decay can be unbearable. If it happens at night or on the weekend, the idea of waiting until Monday may be out of the question. If you’re in that fix, remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.
The main reason a cavity causes tooth pain is that the decay has reached the inner layer of tooth called the dentin. If the pain is really severe it may have reached the center of the tooth, which is more serious. Get to our office as soon as you can.
Other Causes
While it’s the most common, an orindary cavity is not the only cause of a toothache. Here are some others:
- Tooth abscess. This is, in fact, advanced tooth decay. The decay can actually infect the root and surrounding tissue. It can cause a lot of pain that spreads along the other teeth, to the point where pinpointing the problem area can be tricky. It’s a serious condition and needs to be treated promptly.
- Damaged fillings. In a perfect world, a tooth filling would last forever. Unfortunatley it doesn’t work that way; fillings can wear out, become cracked, or covered in pits or grooves. When that happens the sensitive part of the tooth, repaired by the filling, is exposed. We’ll need to replace the filling.
- Factured tooth. A tooth can be cracked in any number of ways, from an accident at home to a sports mishap. Fractures can be painful, but we can treat them. (We’ll take this opportunity to remind you: in sports, a mouthguard is essential gear!)
- Gum disease. Tooth pain may also be a sign of gum disease. You will typically noticed a full pain in the mouth, along with bleeding gums. This should be treated promptly. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss.
At OnCall Dental we are only a phone call away. But in an emergency you do not need to make appointment. We have offices in Fresno and Hanford, and treat toothache pain and specialize in emergency dentistry. Walk-ins are always welcome!
