If you’ve ever had a toothache, then you know the pain can be excruciating. What can cause a toothache? According to Hutchinson dentist Dr. Grant Ringler there are several possibilities. For example, if you have a sinus infection, then the discomfort in your sinuses can make the teeth along your upper arch hurt. Some people experience pain in their teeth and gums because of periodontal disease, especially during the advanced stages of the disease. The most common cause, however, is linked to the nerve of the tooth. When you have a toothache, Hutchinson, the most important thing you can do is call your dentist. Dr. Ringler and his staff will take a digital x-ray, examine your tooth and correctly diagnose your toothache in order to provide the appropriate treatment to relieve your pain.
The Nerve of a Toothache
Normally the nerve that lives deep inside each tooth is well protected by the tooth’s outer layers of enamel and dentin. However, when you have a toothache, this is usually a sign that the nerve is beginning to die or is already dead. This can happen as a result of extensive tooth decay that reaches the nerve; gum disease; a cracked, split or broken tooth; or a traumatic blow to the face or fall that injures the tooth.
Treating a Toothache in Hutchinson
When you call the dental practice of Dr. Ringler and let us know about your toothache, we will schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible. We don’t want any of our patients to be in pain! We’ll take an x-ray in order to see the interior of the tooth that’s bothering you. Then, Dr. Ringler will diagnose the condition and recommend a course of treatment.
Root Canal Therapy
If the x-ray shows signs of infection—meaning that the nerve is dying or dead—then a root canal will be necessary. During this procedure, Dr. Ringler removes the infected nerve tissue from inside your tooth and replaces it with a biocompatible substance called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed and prepared to eventually have a porcelain crown that will protect the tooth from further infection or damage. Fortunately, your tooth is able to function perfectly well without the nerve, and you’ll function much better without a toothache!
Call Our Office Today
If you are experiencing a toothache, then please don’t wait to see if the pain subsides on its own. Call Dr. Ringler in Hutchinson, KS, for a diagnosis and treatment to relieve the pain and restore your tooth.