Do you often experience tooth sensitivity or aches in one or more of your teeth? A number of factors could cause pain in your tooth, but if the pain is persistent, then you may need to see your Brighton, MA, dentists for treatment. Find out when a toothache should concern you, and how we often stop discomfort in as little as one visit.
What Causes a Tooth to Ache?
Many factors could lead to pain in one or more of your teeth. For example, if you develop sinus or allergy issues, or a sinus infection, then you may develop toothaches and sensitivity. Discomfort could also follow changes in air pressure or elevation, such as riding in an airplane. Cold outdoor temperatures may also cause some minor discomfort. However, these aches will pass after a few hours. When you have discomfort that lasts for more than a day or two, then you likely have a cavity. Once the pain is noticeable, the odds are that this cavity is reaching the advanced stages and unless treated, the risk of an infection becomes more severe.
The Danger of Tooth Decay
A cavity forms when bacteria is able to bypass the layer of enamel that typically protects your teeth. Poor oral hygiene could weaken enamel and cause erosion, or an injury could chip or crack a tooth. Once bacteria reach the inner layers of dentin, which are sensitive and porous, this leads to cavities. As a cavity grows and spreads, the bacteria could eventually reach your tooth’s nerve center, known as the pulp. At this stage, an infection or abscess could form and threaten the stability of your tooth and cause greater discomfort.
Dental Fillings and Crowns
By treating the cavity, we can prevent decay from causing an infection. Often, a filling will be placed in one visit. Created from a lifelike material known as composite resin, this restoration stops the progression of cavities. For more serious cases of decay, we may opt for a crown. The restoration covers the entire visible portion of your tooth and again, we can often create them from materials that look natural, such as ceramic. If you have any questions about our restorative treatments or if you’ve experienced the warning signs of a cavity, then please contact our team today to receive a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.
Do You Have Pain in Your Smile?
At Brighton Family Dental Group, we can identify the cause of your discomfort and recommend the most appropriate solution. You can schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Villani or Dr. Kondrat by reaching out to our office at (617) 562-5210. We are proud to offer a range of dental services to patients from Cambridge, Brookline, and all neighboring communities.
