Toothache Treatment in Southfield, MI
“My tooth hurts. It must mean a cavity?”
Well, maybe it does. However, other conditions can cause a tooth to be sensitive to either hot or cold foods, to the pressure of chewing… or to just plain ache.
A few of these other toothache possibilities are:
- Shrinkage of the gum (recession) down below the top part of the tooth (crown) onto the tooth surface. This part of the tooth (cementum) is as sensitive to hot and cold, and can feel as if it’s affected by a cavity.
- A new filling. When a tooth is treated to repair a cavity, it will sometimes be sensitive for a while afterwards. This reaction is normal and will usually subside in a day or two.
- A tooth that has drifted into a position where it is now striking too hard against other teeth. This can sometime occur in anyone’s mouth, but most often happens when teeth have shifted due to a lost tooth that has not been replaced.
- A grinding or clenching habit. Sometimes people will grind or clench their teeth without being aware of it while awake. It my also happen during sleep. In either case, this habit can cause pain.
It is important to pay attention to the early warning signals our bodies send us. If you feel something unusual in your mouth, contact us for an appointment! We’ll find the cause of your toothache and find the best way to deal with the condition.
