Ouch! Toothaches come in many forms. They can come on suddenly or build up. They can be a dull ache or acute pain. But always, they are difficult to ignore. And they should not be ignored, as they may be a symptom of an underlying problem.

If you’ve been suffering from tooth pain, don’t assume it will go away on its own. If there is an issue that must be addressed, its best to start treatment early on — before the problem gets worse. To schedule an appointment with Highland Advanced Dental Care, call us today at 248-329-3552 or fill out our online form to request an appointment.

Common Reasons for Tooth Pain

  1. If you have worn-down tooth enamel, nerves in the tooth may be exposed and cause pain if you eat or drink something very hot or cold. Enamel may wear down due to brushing too aggressively, clenching and grinding, and other reasons.
  2. Worn enamel eventually leads to tooth decay. As the decay breaches the enamel and reaches the sensitive inner part of the tooth (dentin), you may begin experiencing pain.
  3. Gums are designed to hold your teeth in place. They should be pink, firm, and tight around the bases of the teeth. If the gums begin to recede, the nerves at the root of the tooth may be exposed, causing pain. Many things can cause gum recession, including periodontal disease, brushing hard, and clenching and grinding.
  4. A crack in the tooth may cause pain — even if it’s so small you don’t realize it’s there.
  5. Teeth grinding and clenching may cause pain in your jawbone, around your head, and even in the tooth itself.
  6. A tooth abscess is a serious infection of the tooth root and may cause severe pain.
  7. Teeth whitening products may cause your teeth to feel sensitive — though the feeling is often temporary. If you do want to whiten your teeth, ask us about our professional whitening products, which are designed to be highly effective while causing minimal discomfort.

How We Will Help Your Tooth Pain

The first step in ending your tooth pain is finding out the source, of course. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. LoCascio will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth, looking for problems: signs of wear on your enamel, small cracks and breaks, spots of tooth decay, gum recession and periodontal disease, issues with existing fillings. Treatment may include:

  • Repairing cavities with fillings
  • Treating a tooth abscess or severe decay with a root canal
  • Treating gum disease through scaling and root planing or other procedures
  • Repairing cracks
  • Replacing old fillings
  • Repairing gums that have receded

We may also recommend that you use a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth, brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, avoid acidic and other foods that cause discomfort, and take other measures at home.

Tooth pain is not something you have to live with. At Highland Advanced Dental Care, we will get to the source of your discomfort. Schedule an appointment at our office by calling 248-329-3552 today or via our online form.