No matter what the cause of your pain, a toothache is always a warning sign that shouldn't be ignored. Your Gambrills, MD, dentist, Dr. Robert Daly, offers emergency dentistry services that can ease tooth pain.
Tooth decay may be the source of your pain
The pain in your tooth could be caused by a large cavity. Removing the decayed portion of your tooth and replacing it with filling material will end your pain and restore your tooth.
Your tooth might be cracked
Even small cracks in teeth can cause pain. The pain occurs when the cracked portions of the tooth press against your tooth pulp. The pulp is a soft mass of tissues, nerves and blood vessels in the center of your tooth. Pressure from the cracked tooth may irritate your tooth, causing pain. A cracked tooth also allows bacteria to enter your tooth and may increase your risk of a cavity or dental abscess.
You have an abscess
Abscesses are bacterial infections in your tooth pulp. If you have an abscess, you'll need to make a visit to the Gambrills dental office. Treatment for abscesses involves antibiotics and root canal therapy.
If you have an abscess, you may notice these symptoms:
- Severe, throbbing pain in your tooth or jaw
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Red, tender gum around the tooth
- Small bump on the gum next to the tooth
- Pus around the tooth
- Swelling in the lower part of your face
A filling is loose
Loose fillings can also cause tooth pain. If a filling problem is the source of your pain, your dentist will remove the filling and replace it with a new one. In some cases, new cavities can form around the edges of fillings, causing pain.
Emergency dentistry can help you protect your smile. Call your dentist in Gambrills, MD, Dr. Daly, at (410) 451-9600 to schedule your appointment.