Toothaches can be incredibly uncomfortable, causing shooting pain, soreness, and discomfort that can be difficult to tolerate. However, many people are unsure of what to do when they experience toothache symptoms and are often left wondering whether they should visit a dentist. Our dentist provides toothache treatments if you live in Silver Spring, Maryland. At Cummins Dental Group, we provide care for all patients, from preventative care to restorative and cosmetic, as every patient deserves to smile confidently and with no pain.
If you are experiencing a toothache and are unsure what to do, read on to learn all you need about toothaches and what our dentist, Dr. Adrian Cummins, can do for you.
What Causes Toothaches?
Toothaches can occur due to various problems, including cavities, gum disease, trauma, and impacted teeth. However, what do each of these problems entail?
- Cavities: Cavities are one of the most common causes of toothaches due to a buildup of bacteria that erodes the tooth enamel. An excellent way to prevent cavities is with our non-invasive dental sealant procedure.
- Gum Disease: Thousands of people suffer from gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease occurs when the gums become infected and inflamed, often due to poor oral hygiene.
- Trauma: Accidents happen to everyone and, unfortunately, are never expected. Trauma can occur from accidents or injuries that damage the tooth or jawbone.
- Impacted Teeth: Impacted teeth occur when a tooth fails to emerge from the gum line, often causing pain and swelling.
Symptoms of a Toothache
There are a variety of symptoms to look out for if you are suffering from a toothache. Common symptoms include:
- Soreness in your tooth
- Pain in your tooth that is persistent
- Sensitivity in the tooth
- Swelling in the gums
- Fever
- Chills
- Headaches
You must contact our office immediately if you suffer from any of these symptoms.
Scheduling an Appointment With Dr. Adrian Cummins
If you are suffering from a toothache for any reason, it is essential to contact our office immediately so we can help relieve your pain as soon as possible. Our excellent dentist, Dr. Cumins, strives to ensure each patient receives the best care and complete comfort and listens to your concerns. With personalized care, our dentist is there for you every step of the way.
During your appointment with Dr. Cummins, he may take X-rays to determine the underlying problem. Based on the diagnosis, he will recommend the appropriate dental treatment to relieve the pain or discomfort. Dr. Cummins will explain your options, ensuring you understand your choices for relieving your toothache pain.
Dental Treatment For Toothaches
There are several options to help relieve toothache pain, depending on the severity of the problem. For mild toothaches, Dr. Cummins may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. However, in severe cases of tooth decay or gum disease, he may perform a root canal or extract the tooth.
- Root Canal Therapy: Root canal therapy is the most common procedure for treating toothaches caused by nerve damage or decay. Dr. Cummins will remove the damaged or infected portion of the tooth’s pulp and clean the root canal during the process. Then, Dr. Cummins will fill the cavity with a unique material and cover the tooth with a crown. While root canal therapy has a bad reputation, it is very effective and can save a damaged tooth from being lost.
- Tooth Extraction: Sometimes, a toothache may require extraction if it is severely damaged or infected. During a tooth extraction, your dentist will numb your mouth and use special tools to remove the tooth from the socket. While getting a tooth pulled may seem scary, preventing further damage and pain is sometimes necessary.
- Dental Crowns: Dental crowns protect a damaged tooth from further decay and can alleviate toothache pain caused by cavities. During the procedure, your dentist will shape the damaged tooth and place a crown over it to protect it from further damage. Dental crowns are usually made from porcelain or a mixture of porcelain and metal and can last many years.
- Periodontal Treatment: Periodontal treatment may be necessary if your toothache occurs because of gum disease. Treatment can include deep cleaning and scaling to remove bacteria and plaque from the gums and antibiotic treatment to kill any remaining bacteria. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases to remove damaged tissue and repair the gums.
Follow-up Appointment
After receiving dental treatment, Dr. Cummins will recommend a follow-up appointment to ensure your toothache and what was causing it has resolved. Follow-up appointments are crucial to avoid dental problems, tooth decay, and gum disease. Your dentist will encourage proper oral hygiene and go over things to do to help prevent another toothache from occurring.
Preventing Toothaches From Occurring
Toothaches can be prevented with proper dental care. Here are some simple tips to help prevent a toothache from occurring.
- Oral Hygiene: Brushing your teeth can seem like a long process, and many would rather skip out on it. However, brushing your teeth is essential to a healthy smile. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes, and floss your teeth once daily. Brushing and flossing will help remove plaque, food, and bacteria. Oral hygiene can help prevent gum disease and cavities from occurring.
- Dental Visits: Visiting the dentist every six months is a guaranteed way to prevent toothaches from occurring in the first place. By visiting Dr. Cummins, he can do thorough examinations and a professional cleaning to ensure your smile is healthy. If there are any problems, they can be caught in time, preventing you from experiencing severe pain later or having to spend a lot of money on more invasive procedures to heal your smile.
- Sugary Foods: Avoiding sweet desserts and drinks can be difficult; if you cannot, moderate your sugary food and drink intake. Moderation is key to ensuring a healthy smile. If you have any acidic or sugary foods or beverages, brushing your teeth right after is strongly encouraged to help prevent cavities from forming.
- Mouthguards: Trauma can occur at any given point in time. However, there are preventative measures for those in high-contact sports to avoid damaging their teeth. Mouthguards for athletes are an excellent preventive care procedure that helps to protect your teeth from trauma and helps prevent a toothache from occurring. If you are in high-contact sports like football or wrestling, you must wear a mouthguard to help protect your smile. However, it is essential to note that mouthguards are an excellent choice for everyone, not just those in high-contact sports, as those who do heavy weight lifting should wear mouthguards to prevent damage.
Dentist For Toothaches in Silver Spring, MD
Toothaches can be a significant pain, but several dental procedures can help alleviate the discomfort and prevent further damage. The important thing is to seek treatment early and not wait until the pain becomes unbearable. Regular dental cleanings and checkups can also help avoid toothaches in the first place. So, take care of your teeth, and don’t let toothache pain ruin your day.
Seeing a dentist for toothache relief can help you avoid further complications. If you experience toothache symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cummins today! Don’t let the toothache take over your life. Get the care you need today at Cummins Dental Group in Silver Spring, Maryland.
