Is there ever a good time for a tooth ache? That’s a pretty silly question: of course not! Toothaches can come in a number of intensities, with a variety of causes. Sometimes they are a dental emergency, such as when they come on suddenly, or with no apparent cause. Toothaches in response to an injury to the face or jaw should also mean a call to your Cerritos, CA emergency dentist, to see about a same-day appointment. When your tooth really hurts, don’t hesitate to call your dental office, and find out about relief.
Teeth Grinding Can Cause Aches
The pressures exerted by the teeth and jaw are amazingly strong. You may not notice it in the daily act of eating food, but when you grind your teeth together, tremendous forces impact your tooth enamel. Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) can causes extreme wear on tooth surfaces, and toothaches are one result. Your dentist can address bruxism issues with a nighttime appliance, that not only can reposition the jaw to eliminate the grinding in some cases, but can also protect the teeth when grinding does occur.
Sinus Infections and Tooth Pain
Because teeth roots and sinus cavities are near neighbors, an infection in your sinus cavities can cause tooth pain as well. A phone call to Dr. Hofkes and our caring office staff can help determine if an office visit is warranted, or if a call to your family doctor may be the more prudent course of action.
Tooth Pain That’s “Not That Bad”
Tooth pain is signaling something, and unfortunately, teeth do not have the ability to heal themselves. While they can replenish the tooth enamel layer (a healthful diet is important for this!) they cannot regenerate enamel to fill in a hole or repair a crack. Your dentist can address these issues with restorative procedures such a tooth-colored filling, to put an end to aching. A mild toothache that is not addressed at the early stage can progress to more severe cavity size, and infection depth, which may cause the tooth to require more significant repair.
An Aching Tooth Needs Attention
Don’t be afraid to find out the cause of an aching tooth. To schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today by calling 562-584-4082. We proudly welcome patients of all ages from Cerritos, CA, and all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and more.
