When you notice your teeth feel sensitive when you eat or drink, or if you have a toothache bugging you for more than one day, you should talk to your dentist! Pain in your smile could mean you have a cavity, and one that is verging on infection. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist discusses why you should never ignore a toothache!
What Does a Toothache Mean?
A temporary ache, one that passes after a few short hours, could be caused by sinus and allergy issues, or even changes in elevation, such as traveling to a more mountainous region or even riding in an airplane. But if you have sensitivity and pain in your smile that persists for more than a day, then this could mean your tooth has a cavity and is at risk of developing an infection. Cavities form when factors like plaque buildup, injury, and teeth grinding weakens or comprises outer enamel, leading to cavities.
Treatment Options
When you see us, we will examine your smile with a digital x-ray and an intraoral camera, so we can identify the presence of decay in the earliest stages. We then assess the severity of your cavity and recommend the best treatment option. For many, that will include a filling. We administer a numbing agent and remove all decay from the tooth. We then add a metal-free composite resin, which we shade to blend with the rest of a tooth. The placement only takes one visit. For more severe cases, we could place a dental crown, again designed to look natural and blend with the smile. Your smile will look great, and you will avoid the onset of infection!
A Preventive Approach
We could also discuss ways to avoid further pain by preventing cavities. For example, at home cut back on sugary foods and drinks and meals high in starch, as this prevents major plaque buildup. You also prevent plaque by brushing and flossing each day, removing particles before bacteria can break them down. You should brush twice a day and floss every evening. Be sure to see our team for a checkup every six months too, so we can watch your smile for the earliest signs of treatment. Our team will then clean the teeth too, removing all buildup to prevent cavities, as well as gingivitis and gum disease. If you have any questions about how to protect your smile, or how to bring relief from a toothache, then contact our team today.
Ready to Address Your Aching Teeth?
We want to bring relief and protect the health and function of your smile. To learn more about treating pain in your smile, or to set up your next dental appointment, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
