No doubt about it, a toothache can severely affect your ability to get on with your day. If you’re in need of tooth pain relief, an experienced dentist – like Dr. Monteiro at River Oaks Dental in Jacksonville, Florida – can make that happen.

Over-the-counter remedies are available, but when you’re suffering with a toothache, understanding the root cause is essential to eliminate the issue. Sometimes, the cause is obvious, but getting total tooth pain relief is usually only possible with the assistance of a dentist. But if you’re wondering what could be to blame for your tooth torment and how the problem might be solved, take a look at the following.

When to See a Local Dentist

With a severe toothache, professional dental treatment is often the only solution – but does your tooth pain warrant a visit with a Jacksonville dentist?

As we tell our patients here at River Oaks Dental, any toothache that lasts for more than one or two days isn’t likely to get better on its own. Visiting a dentist as soon as possible is in your best interests, as the longer you wait, the worse the problem may get.

However, if you’re experiencing unbearable tooth pain as well as fever and chills, difficulty breathing or swallowing, significant swelling, abnormally red gums or a bad-tasting discharge, consider that to be a dental emergency. Call a local dentist or head to the nearest emergency room right away for treatment – there’s a good chance you have an infection, and left untreated, an infection of the mouth can spread to other areas of the body.

Common Causes of Tooth Pain

Aside from infection, a host of different issues can be to blame for tooth pain, but severe toothaches frequently result when the dental pulp, or innermost layer of the tooth, becomes inflamed, irritated or exposed. Pulp contains nerves and blood vessels that are sensitive, and any disturbances can be quite painful.

An experienced Jacksonville dentist can identify the source of your toothache, but the need for tooth pain relief could arise from any of the following:

• Tooth decay
• A crack in the tooth
• A loose or broken filling
• Receding gums
• An abscessed tooth
• Gum disease

Other conditions that don’t affect the dental pulp can also cause intense toothaches. Your tooth pain could be a consequence of any of these issues:

• A periodontal abscess
• Bruxism, or teeth grinding
• Ulcers on the gums
• Pressure from an impacted tooth
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
• Trigeminal neuralgia

Whether you’re experiencing a dull ache in your tooth, sharp stabs or throbbing pain, going to a Jacksonville dentist is the right move. The same is true if your tooth pain comes and goes. The conditions above all require professional treatment, and if you put off seeing a dentist, any dental problem is liable to go from bad to worse.

Treatments for Tooth Pain Relief

When you visit a Jacksonville dentist for tooth pain relief, an examination, digital x-rays and a discussion about your symptoms will come first. If yours is an unusual case, you may also undergo a cone beam computed tomography (CT) scan. After that, your dentist will explain the treatment plan.

The means achieving tooth pain relief depends on the cause, so the treatment you’ll need is determined by the situation in your mouth. To get you smiling again, your dentist may recommend one of the following:

Dental Filling

If you have a small cavity or a tiny section of your tooth has broken off, a dental filling could put an end to your pain. After removing the damaged portions of the tooth, your dentist will fill the void with a tooth-colored (composite) material.

Dental Crown

With a toothache resulting from a larger cavity or fracture, the solution may be a crown. When the offending tooth has been prepared, your dentist will use dental impressions to create a tooth-shaped cap, bonding it in place with a strong dental cement.

Dental Inlay or Onlay

When a cavity or fracture is too large for a filling, but not large enough for a crown, an inlay or onlay could be the right remedy. These kinds of custom-crafted ceramic restorations precisely fit into the teeth like a little puzzle piece.

Root Canal Therapy

If bacteria has invaded the dental pulp, the situation calls for a root canal. During the procedure, your dentist will remove the inflamed tissues from the tooth, then clean, fill and seal the pulp chamber and root canals before attaching a dental crown.

Tooth Extraction

With a tooth that’s too badly damaged to save, extraction is the answer. After your dentist removes the offending tooth, you’ll discuss replacement options, which include a dental implant, a fixed dental bridge and a removable partial denture.

Are You in Need of Tooth Pain Relief?

If you have a lingering toothache or tooth pain that comes and goes, you should see an experienced dentist as soon as possible. By treating the issue early, you can end your suffering and keep the situation in your mouth from getting worse.

Don’t continue to live in discomfort – the River Oaks Dental team can put you on the road to tooth pain relief. To schedule an appointment, contact our dentist office in Jacksonville, Florida, today.