What Does A Toothache Mean?

austin toothaches

When you have a pain in one of your teeth, this could mean the presence of a serious oral health issue. Fortunately, we have lifelike restorations to help treat cavities and bring relief to your smile. In today’s blog, your Austin, MN, dentists talk about the dangers of a toothache.

Temporary Aches

You could have an aching tooth for a number of different reasons. For example, temporary pain could develop due to relocating to a higher elevation or riding in an airplane. Cold winter winds could cause sensitivity, and sinus or allergy issues could also mean short lived toothaches. But that’s the main point. All of these aches pass after a few hours. You should be concerned with one that lasts for more than a day, as this often means you have a cavity that needs attention. Once the decay is advanced enough that your tooth hurts, then an infection is around the corner. Don’t risk the loss of your tooth, talk to us right away about a diagnosis.

Cavities and Infection

Our teeth are coated in a layer of protective tooth enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The enamel can still be weakened however, often due to infrequent brushing and flossing and a diet high in sugar and starch. These are the main factors behind plaque and tartar buildup. This buildup not only stains teeth and causes bad breath, but weakens the outer enamel. The enamel erosion exposes the inner tissues to bacteria and causes a cavity. Without treatment, the cavity will grow until it reaches the inner pulp, your tooth’s nerve center. Now, the tooth is infected and could mean worsening pain and the risk of tooth loss as well.

Treatment Options

For most cases of tooth decay, we offer treatment and relief with a filling. We numb the tooth and remove all decay, before cleansing it applying the filling material. Made from a metal-free composite resin, this can be shaded to blend with your tooth. We sculpt the tooth as the material cures, and then we polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. If a tooth is infected, we will again numb it before we reopen it to remove the tissue from within. We then cleaning the interior of the tooth and add a special filling material. Finally, we cap the tooth with a custom and lifelike dental crown.

If you have any questions about avoiding or treating an aching tooth, then contact our team today to learn more about our restorative treatment options.

Do You Have Questions About Restorative Dentistry?

Our team wants to help you avoid persistent discomfort in your smile. To make an appointment with the Potach and Mitchell Dental Clinic, contact our Austin, MN dental office today by calling 507-437-6312.