Don't Ignore Your Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can be a sign of more serious oral health problems, including tooth decay or gum disease. It is important that you don’t ignore your tooth pain and see a dentist promptly. A dentist can identify the problem and treat it before it progresses. At Heritage Dental Associates, Dr. Jeffery Kendrick is your Fayetteville, GA, dentist for treating tooth pain.

Causes of Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can be due to several possible causes. Your Fayetteville dentist can examine your tooth and determine what is causing the pain so it can be treated. Proper treatment can alleviate pain and discomfort, as well as prevent the problem from spreading to other areas of the mouth. Causes of tooth pain can include:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth fracture
• Damaged dental fillings
• An abscess below the tooth
• An impacted wisdom tooth
• Frequently clenching or grinding the teeth

Treating Tooth Pain

The right procedure or approach for treating your tooth pain depends on the cause of the pain. In the case of tooth decay, the affected area needs to be removed to stop it from spreading. The tooth will then be cleaned and filled in with a dental filling. The tooth will be restored and the pain will be gone. Root canal treatment is used for treating abscesses. The procedure is similar to filling a cavity. Infected areas inside the tooth and root are removed, the area is cleaned, then filled with dental filling. Again, the tooth is restored and your tooth pain is eliminated.

If tooth pain is due to impacted wisdom teeth, extracting the teeth will ultimately alleviate the pain and discomfort. In the case of damaged dental fillings, replacing the fillings will treat the pain and correct the problem. Dental bonding can be used to repair fractured teeth. Once repaired, tooth pain should diminish. Tooth pain caused by clenching or grinding the teeth can be treated by wearing mouth guards, particularly at night while sleeping. Depending on the cause of your tooth pain, a dentist can recommend an appropriate treatment method.

Don’t ignore your tooth pain. It can be a sign of a potentially serious condition. See a dentist as soon as possible so the problem can be treated before it spreads or gets worse. For treatment of tooth pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffery Kendrick, your Fayetteville, GA, dentist, by calling Heritage Dental Associates at (770) 460-9795.