Causes, Prevention and Treatments for Glendale Toothaches

People everywhere agree, there is nothing worse than a toothache. The pain can be sharp, throbbing and relentless. Sometimes the toothache may be accompanied by fever, swelling or drainage. An agonizing toothache will send even the toughest Arizona residents hurrying to the dentist for Glendale toothache treatment.

Causes of Toothaches

There can be many causes for a toothache including a damaged or fractured tooth, an abscessed tooth, infected gums, or tooth decay. Toothache treatment depends on the cause of the toothache. In order to determine the source of your toothache your Glendale dentist will question you about various issues such as how long you have been in pain, and whether anything makes the pain better or worse. Your Glendale dentist will then examine your mouth including your teeth, gums, tongue, jaws, neck and sinuses, possibly accompanied by x-rays.

The most common cause of a Glendale toothache is tooth decay, which occurs when foods are allowed to form a coating on the teeth resulting in the growth of bacteria. These bacteria produce acids which begins to dissolve the tooth enamel creating cavities.

Treatments for Toothaches

Once the cause of the toothache has been established a course of toothache treatment will be decided. If tooth decay is the cause, a simple filling may remedy the pain. If the decay and bacteria have found their way deeply into the tooth you may have an infection requiring treatment with antibiotics, especially if it is accompanied by fever and swelling. Without treatment, a dental infection can become quite serious since the bacteria can spread as far as the bloodstream. If the infection involves the tooth’s nerve you may require a root canal, possibly followed by a dental crown.

Preventing Cavities With Regular Visits To The Dentist

Preventing Toothaches

The best way to prevent a toothache is to practice excellent oral hygiene. This includes regular, thorough brushing and flossing. In addition, see your dentist every six months for a dental checkup which can identify cavities while they are still small, before they become painful. Your dental professional may also wish to take x-rays which can show cavities between the teeth. In addition, have your teeth professionally cleaned, followed by a fluoride treatment. If you are particularly prone to cavities you may also wish to have your dentist apply sealants to further protect your teeth.

Although cavities are the most common cause for a toothache, there is no way to discover the cause without a visit to the dentist in Glendale AZ. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that your toothache is caused by something as simple as grinding your teeth, and the only toothache treatment you need is a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

Don’t suffer needlessly with toothache pain, call your Glendale dentist for sympathetic, gentle, diagnosis and treatment.