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Oral Cancer
  

Toothache

 

Having a toothache is no fun. The symptoms can range anywhere from mild discomfort to totally unbearable pain. When you have a toothache, it may be worsened by hot, cold, biting or eating sweets.  Or, sometimes, it just hurts all by itself.

Possible causes of a toothache:
  1. Tooth decay (a cavity).
  2. A dental abscess (usually caused by deep decay).
  3. A periodontal (gum) abscess.
  4. An erupting wisdom tooth.
  5. A fractured tooth.
  6. A dying nerve (usually under an existing filling or crown).
  7. An irritated nerve due to a deep filling or crown.
  8. Impacted food in or around a molar.
  9. A leaking filling, bridge or crown.
  10. Decay under a crown, filling or bridge.
  11. Trauma to the tooth (usually from some accident).
  12. A sinus infection.
  13. Grinding of the teeth due to TMJ problems.
  14. A mal-adjusted bite - requiring adjustment or orthodontics.
  15. A failing root canal (requiring re-treatment).
  16. A dying nerve due to inadequate blood supply (more commonly in the elderly).
  17. Other non-specific causes, such as reversible inflammation of the nerve, referred pain, sensitivity to certain foods, and even denture sores.

Relief from the pain.

When you have a toothache, usually you will need to see a dentist to get relief.

What we can do includes:

  • Repair the decayed tooth structure with a filling or crown.
  • Do a root canal if we determine that the nerve is dead.
  • Extract the tooth if it is hopelessly infected.
  • Adjust your bite if TMJ is the problem.
  • Put you on an antibiotic and treat your gum disease if you have a periodontal abscess.
  • Prescribe pain medication if we feel the tooth may recover on its own and is simply inflamed for some reason.
    •
  • Adjust your denture or partial denture if it is rubbing your gums and creating a sore spot.

Emergency Care

If you are in pain, please call us as soon as possible. The earlier that we get to examine you, the easier it is to treat the problem and make the toothache go away.

Our office will always see an emergency toothache immediately. If you are really in trouble, we can inject you with fast-acting anesthetic and at least make you comfortable.

Our office number is 650-965-1234. If we are not in the office, you will hear an answering machine message with my home phone number on it.

You can also contact us online, and I will respond to your questions promptly.

One final note: If you are avoiding going to the dentist because you have been hurt before, or you just don't believe dental care can be painless, PLEASE read some of the testimonials on this website. These are real comments sent to us by patients who were often afraid to see a dentist, and found that we could end their toothache without hurting them in the process.

Dr. Burch

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© 2005 John L. Burch DDS