Why You Should Never Ignore A Toothache
Got a toothache? Don’t be tempted to brush it off as just another temporary pain. As tempting as it may be to avoid a visit to the dentist (because who the heck likes going to the dentist?!), ignoring a toothache can lead to some serious consequences, like having to kiss your hard-earned savings goodbye for expensive dental procedures.
Plus, who wants to deal with the agony of a toothache? Not me, and I’m sure not you either.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – and that’s certainly true when it comes to your dental health. So, let’s dive in and uncover why you should never ignore a toothache.
6 reasons why you shouldn’t ignore your toothache
1. It could be a sign of a cavity
Your tooth isn’t hurting for no reason. One of those reasons could be that you have a cavity. Cavities are caused by bacteria that eat away at the enamel of your tooth, causing a hole. If left untreated, the cavity can become larger and deeper, causing more pain and potentially leading to you needing a root canal or even tooth extraction. Yikes!
2. It could be a sign of gum disease
If your toothache is accompanied by bleeding gums, this could be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that attack the gums, causing inflammation and eventually leading to tooth loss. If caught early, gum disease can be treated and reversed, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious dental problems.
3. It could be a sign of a cracked tooth
A sharp and intense toothache might also be a sign that you have a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth is usually caused by some sort of trauma (a hit to the face, walking into a door, etc.) or by biting down on something hard (think unpopped popcorn kernels. I’ve been there!).
Cracked teeth can lead to infection and even tooth loss, so it’s best to get those suckers checked out if you suspect that you might have one.
4. It could be a sign of an abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in your tooth or gums. Some of the most common courses of tooth abscesses are bacterial infections or dying teeth. Abscesses are no joke; they’re serious dental problems that require immediate attention. If left untreated, an abscess can spread to other parts of your body, causing serious health problems.
5. It could be a sign of oral cancer
In rare cases, a toothache could be a sign of oral cancer. Oral cancer can cause pain and swelling in the mouth and throat, and it can be deadly if not caught early. If you have a persistent toothache that doesn’t go away, it’s important to see a dentist right away to rule out oral cancer.
6. Swift action could save your tooth
Getting the problem tooth checked in good time, ideally as soon as you notice the toothache, could be the difference between saving and losing your tooth. Maybe you need a filling or a root canal, maybe you don’t. Either way, the sooner you seek dental advice, the more time the dentist has to work his or her magic before irreversible damage is done.
All this to say, though there may be some aches and pains you could ignore, a toothache is not one of them. You could be looking at a serious dental problem that requires immediate attention, and that, if left untreated for too long, could very well lead to even worse problems, not just orally.
If you’re experiencing a toothache, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can diagnose the problem and provide the necessary treatment to get you back to good oral health. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take care of your teeth and gums immediately!
And while you wait for your appointment, if the pain is so severe that you can’t even think straight, check out some of the products below that could help relieve some of your pain.
