Dental pain, often commonly known as toothache, can be extremely unpleasant and is usually an indicator of the exact level of decay affecting the tooth. The pain occurs because decay has worn away the protective layer of enamel around the tooth. This exposes the more sensitive dentine and dental nerve located at the centre of the tooth. A breach in the enamel also allows extremes of hot and cold to penetrate to the nerve of the tooth, creating the sensation of sensitive teeth when eating.
There are different kinds of pain commonly experienced that are usually indicative of certain forms of decay. A sharp pain set off by hot or cold food indicates an early sign of decay as a heat stimulus is sent to the nerve through the dentine. The sharp pain will usually subside after a few seconds to a minute. A dull pain starting without any stimulus is a more serious concern and may signal damage to the living cells of the nerve and decaying pulp tissue. For both forms of pain it is recommended that you see a Chepstow dentist as soon as possible as he may need to fill any dental cavities or in serious cases remove infected material from the tooth via a root canal treatment.
Although it is possible to gain relief from the pain of toothache using over-the-counter and prescription painkillers, this will not address the root of the problem. Dental decay will get steadily worse unless treated correctly by a trained dentist. It is also important to remember that even if dental pain appears to have stopped it is still necessary to see a dentist. This is because some infections actually kill off the sensitive dental nerve, leaving the tooth without any sensation but still infected. The infection is then capable of spreading to other teeth in the mouth and even the bloodstream.
Dental pain is never a pleasant experience but it is important to remember that it can be treated and prevented by seeking the necessary treatment from a dentist as soon as possible.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental pain, often commonly known as toothache, can be extremely unpleasant and is usually an indicator of the exact level of decay affecting the tooth. The pain occurs because decay has worn away the protective layer of enamel around the tooth. This exposes the more sensitive dentine and dental nerve located at the centre of the tooth. A breach in the enamel also allows extremes of hot and cold to penetrate to the nerve of the tooth, creating the sensation of sensitive teeth when eating.
There are different kinds of pain commonly experienced that are usually indicative of certain forms of decay. A sharp pain set off by hot or cold food indicates an early sign of decay as a heat stimulus is sent to the nerve through the dentine. The sharp pain will usually subside after a few seconds to a minute. A dull pain starting without any stimulus is a more serious concern and may signal damage to the living cells of the nerve and decaying pulp tissue. For both forms of pain it is recommended that you see a Chepstow dentist as soon as possible as he may need to fill any dental cavities or in serious cases remove infected material from the tooth via a root canal treatment.
Although it is possible to gain relief from the pain of toothache using over-the-counter and prescription painkillers, this will not address the root of the problem. Dental decay will get steadily worse unless treated correctly by a trained dentist. It is also important to remember that even if dental pain appears to have stopped it is still necessary to see a dentist. This is because some infections actually kill off the sensitive dental nerve, leaving the tooth without any sensation but still infected. The infection is then capable of spreading to other teeth in the mouth and even the bloodstream.
Dental pain is never a pleasant experience but it is important to remember that it can be treated and prevented by seeking the necessary treatment from a dentist as soon as possible.
