Are you experiencing discomfort? Does it hurt to chew?
Your teeth and mouth are the source of so much activity, when a toothache strikes it is often very difficult to ignore. This is why it is so important to keep up with you regular examinations and cleanings, they are designed to identify dental issues as early as possible, primarily so that pain does not get a chance to take place. Although we advise not to self diagnose, being aware of symptoms and gathering as much information as possible might help you to feel less apprehensive or fearful at your appointment.
Intermittent Sharp ‘Jabbing’ Pains
This is toothache that is less of an ache and more of an irregular jabbing or stabbing sensation within one or several teeth. It is usually felt in response to a stimulus. So, opening your mouth, chewing, eating cold foods, etc. It usually comes and goes, but is very painful when it does make an appearance. This type of pain may be caused by a crack, cavity, or abscess.
Sharp Tooth Sensitivity
This type of pain is similar to the one described above, but will only be felt when the tooth is exposed to changes in temperatures (cold and hot sensitivity). As with a stabbing pain, it could be a product of a cavity or an abscess, but it may also be caused by rough brushing or gum recession.
Dull Toothache
This is the most common type of toothache and though it is usually quite mild, its persistence and deep, dull sensation can make it a tough problem to deal with. It will usually go away after taking over the counter painkillers, but you should not use this as a substitution for treatment. It may be caused by nerve damage or tooth decay, so consult your dentist immediately. This type of pain is frequently seen in people who grind their teeth.
Extreme Throbbing Pain
If you are suffering with an extremely painful tooth, you may need to ring the emergency number for your dentist and schedule an appointment for the next day (where possible). This is especially important if you can see that your face is swollen, because it means that you have developed an infection or abscess. It must be treated or you may start to feel poorly.
Pain Only When Eating
If you develop toothache only when eating, the problem is likely to be tooth decay or a dental fracture. Once again, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. This type of pain can usually be controlled with over the counter medication, but you do not want to wait too long before your mouth examined.
Pain at the Back of the Jaw
This type of pain is not as common as the rest, because it usually signifies an impacted wisdom tooth and they are not something that happens for everybody. It can be pretty frustrating to learn that you have problem wisdom teeth (some people develop them without any pain or complications), but you still have to get them examined. If left untreated, they will only cause more pain in the future.
Self-diagnosis of dental or any other kind of physical pain is for short term purposes only. In other words, it should be used only as information until you get the chance to visit a doctor, dentist, or specialist. You should never take information that you find online and use it as a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call our office today at 619-276-6884!
-Libby Dental
