When to See a Dentist About Tooth Pain

Sometimes tooth pain develops gradually, becoming increasingly difficult to ignore over time. In other cases, tooth pain arises suddenly, making it impossible to think of anything else. 

If you’re wondering when to see a dentist for tooth pain, let’s look into what might be causing your discomfort and whether it requires professional intervention. 

Cheng H. Tai, DDS, understands that tooth pain can be both uncomfortable and disruptive to your normal routines. We offer prompt diagnostic and treatment services from our comfortable office in Midtown Manhattan, New York. When you need help, we’re standing by. 

What might be causing my tooth pain?

When dental pain arises, you’ll probably wonder what led to the discomfort. It isn’t always easy to diagnose the cause of tooth pain — a number of factors could be to blame. 

Some people simply have more sensitive teeth than others. If you have tooth sensitivity, lots of things can cause tooth pain. Acidic or overly sweet foods can cause your teeth to ache. Drinking hot or cold beverages can also lead to dental pain, which can feel like a throbbing ache or a brief, sharp, stabbing pain.

Dental decay can cause pain by extending into the deeper layers of your tooth, where your nerves are located. You can sometimes see signs of decay, but if the problem is on the back of your teeth, between your teeth, or in your back molars, you may not be able to see the problem. 

An infection in the hollow chamber of your tooth can cause swelling that activates the nerve tissue within that tooth. A dental abscess develops when a bacterial tooth infection creates a pocket of pus. 

Abscesses can develop at the tip of your tooth’s root or in the gum tissue along the side of your tooth’s root. Advanced gum disease can also cause considerable tooth pain and lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

When is it time to see Dr. Tai for tooth pain?

Dentists understand that many patients don’t relish the thought of coming to the dental office, especially when they’re anxious about treatment. But allowing tooth pain to go untreated can make a simple dental health issue much more complicated. 

Occasional tooth pain that isn’t severe or goes away quickly isn’t usually cause for concern, especially if you’ve been coming in for routine dental exams every six months or so. Routine exams give Dr Tai a chance to identify problems in the earliest possible stages. 

If your dental pain is significant or doesn’t resolve on its own within a day or two, scheduling an office visit is the right decision.  If your discomfort is caused by a simple cavity, Dr. Tai can place a filling during the same visit, which should eliminate your pain. 

If your tooth has infected pulp, a root canal is the only way to resolve the matter. It takes a couple of visits, but root canal therapy can remove all traces of infected tooth pulp and restore the structural integrity of your tooth. 

An abscess requires a draining procedure, which is done during your initial visit. You might need a course of antibiotics to fully resolve the infection and reduce the risk of it spreading. 

Advanced gum disease is a serious matter and requires immediate treatment. If an infection spreads deep within your gums, it can extend into your bloodstream and cause widespread health issues. 

Don’t let tooth pain linger

When you rely on Cheng H. Tai, DDS, for all your dental health needs, you have easy access to a highly skilled dental professional and an office equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology. 

There’s no need to suffer through dental pain when help is readily available. Simply reach out to our office online or by phone to discuss appointment availability. Often, same-day visits are an option to get you started on a prompt path toward relief.