Sometimes a toothache will pop up out of nowhere. Then, just as quickly, it will disappear, leaving you none the wiser about its cause. Other times a toothache can linger for days on end and can be indicative of a serious problem with your oral health. But if toothaches all feel the same, how can you tell whether or not your toothache requires dental assistance? Below Dr. Deborha Staten help you diagnose the cause of your toothache.

Learning the Cause of Your Toothache

One common cause of toothaches is the presence of an irritant between teeth. Thus, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth with warm water and floss the aching area when you first develop a toothache. Doing so can relieve your toothache by removing the irritant, or it can rule out an irritant as the cause. If rinsing and flossing don’t help and the toothache lingers, the cause may be more serious, and if the toothache will not fade after a couple of days, contact Dr. Staten.

Other Causes of Toothaches

A lingering toothache can point to a more serious problem with your oral health. Consult the following list to see some other, more threatening causes of toothaches:

• Tooth decay. Sometimes a tooth that has succumbed to decay will ache. The pain tends to linger and will not improve with rinsing or flossing.
• Bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, subjects teeth to powerful forces. These forces can wear away enamel and eventually crack, chip, or break teeth. However, before such drastic damage occurs, teeth may become sensitive and ache. Jaw pain sometimes accompanies a toothache caused by bruxism.
• A cracked tooth. A cracked tooth is typically sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Additionally, a sharp pain often results from biting.

Schedule a Visit with Your Summerlin Dentist

Do you have a toothache that just won’t go away? Contact Dr. Staten today by calling our office at 702-736-7979.