Tooth Pain

Tooth pain (or toothache), whether sharp or dull and constant, is often a sign of an underlying dental issue. Multiple conditions (dental and non-dental) could be causing dental pain. This can include conditions such as grinding your teeth or a dental abscess. 

Treatment can range from improving your oral health routine to antibiotic care for an infection. 

An untreated toothache could spread into your jaw and interfere with regular activities like eating and speaking. Promptly visiting your dentist could help stop its progression before it develops into a more complex dental issue.

To identify the cause of your tooth pain, your dentist will review your medical history and dental health during your consultation. If they suspect an infection or underlying problem, X-rays of your mouth and jaw will be taken to provide a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

A toothache is often a sign of related dental problems. It usually appears alongside other symptoms, including:

• Jaw and cheek pain and swelling
• Tooth sensitivity to temperature
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Bad taste in your mouth

Multiple conditions and factors could be causing tooth pain. Some are dental-related issues, and some may be associated with other health problems.

When the tooth pulp, or nerves, become swollen, it may cause discomfort. Dental issues that may cause this type of inflammation include:

• Cavities
• Jaw clenching
• Teeth grinding
• A cracked or broken tooth
• A cracked or broken filling
• Dental abscess or infection
• Dental decay
• Gum disease (periodontitis)
• Having an acidic or high-sugar diet
• Acid reflux
• Recent tooth extraction
• Recent teeth whitening

Sometimes, tooth pain is a sign of other correlated health issues that may not be dental-related. Tooth pain can be associated with the following conditions:

• Sinus infection
• Vitamin deficiency
• Diabetes
• Migraine
• TMJ Disorder (temporomandibular joint)
• Arthritis

Visiting your dentist and having a check-up will help promptly identify any issues that could be causing discomfort. If the cause of the toothache is an infection, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. 

Some of the common treatments for dental-related tooth pain include:

• Fillings, crowns, and root canals for dental decay-related toothache
• Dental abscess treatment for infection-related toothache
• Emergency treatment for injury-related toothaches, like a cracked tooth or broken filling

Maintaining a dental health routine can help prevent toothaches and other dental-related issues. Some of Dr. Sunitsch's recommendations to achieve this are:

• Brush your teeth twice daily using the proper technique. 
• Brush your tongue. 
• Floss twice a day.
• Avoid sugary snacks.
• Rinse your mouth after drinking coffee or smoking to prevent staining.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Use custom night guards to help with bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching).
• Apply dental sealants to children’s teeth.

Pine Desert Dental offers multiple treatment options to help you manage tooth pain. We offer comprehensive emergency dentistry for urgent dental concerns, where root canals, crowns, and fillings are performed to address toothaches. 

Our  Preventative dental care provides patients with options to improve their oral health. These options include dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and custom night guards to prevent injuries.

Dr. Zach Sunitsch and the Pine Desert Dental team can handle all your dental needs. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Oregon Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. 

We offer comprehensive dental services for your whole family. If you’d like more information, call us at (541) 549-01-09 or request an appointment online. You can also visit us at our clinic in Sisters, Oregon.