Do you have pain in one or more of your teeth? If so, then this toothache could be a warning sign of a serious issue, one that requires the attention of your dentist. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists explain when you or your child should let us know about a toothache, and how we treat the cause!
Cavities
A dental cavity means that harmful bacteria has gained access to the more sensitive layers of dentin beneath your tooth enamel. This could happen for a number of reasons, such as a cracked or chipped tooth. However, poor oral hygiene and a diet high in sugary foods and drinks could lead to plaque buildup, a layer of sticky material that weakens and erodes the outer enamel, allowing cavities to form. People with tooth decay often report tooth sensitivity, especially when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks. Toothaches could arise too. If you experience pain in your smile, then let us know right away!
Infections
When a cavity or cracked tooth isn’t treated in a timely manner, this eventually allows harmful bacteria and decay to reach the inner pulp. Your pulp is a group of living tissues that keeps a tooth healthy and whole. When bacteria reach the pulp, the tooth becomes infected and requires treatment to prevent the spread of infection to other teeth to the loss of the tooth altogether. Warning signs may include pain when you eat or bite down, persistent severe toothache, swelling near the aching tooth, a discharge from the tooth, and fever. If you experience one or more of these warning signs, then please let us know as soon as possible!
Treatment Options
For a cavity, we may remove the decay and then prepare and place the composite resin, a lifelike material that contains no metals. We apply the material in several layers and then shape and sculpt the tooth. Finally, we cure it with a light and polish your tooth. The entire process only takes one visit.
If you have an infected tooth, then we may use a root canal to remove the infected tissue and then clean the interior of the tooth. We fill it with a restorative material and then cap the tooth with a lifelike and custom-made dental crown.
If you have any questions about avoiding these oral health concerns, or if you experience painful symptoms that need attention, then contact our team today.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX ABOUT RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, we want to prevent minor issues from putting your smile’s health at risk. To learn more about our restorative treatment options, then contact your El Paso, TX, dentists at Sunny Smiles on Dyer Street by calling 915-859-7000.