root canal therapy albuquerque

How Do Dentists Treat Toothaches?

A woman with a toothacheToothaches come in many different forms, but are usually a sign that something needs to be checked by a dentist. When it comes to what actually causes toothaches, some common ones are gum infections, cavities, teeth grinding, infections, cracked teeth, and damaged fillings.

What Can a Dentist Do for a Toothache?

A dentist will first perform an examination and ask about your symptoms. He/she may also take a dental X-ray to find out whether there are any issues going on beneath the gums. The dentist will then recommend a suitable treatment depending on the severity of your situation.

Here are the 3 most common dentist-prescribed treatments for toothaches:

I. Dental Filling

If a hole has already formed in the decayed tooth, the dentist will remove the decayed area using a drill and repair the hole using dental fillings. Blue wavelength light is then used to cure and hasten the hardening of the fillings. Finally, they will file and polish the tooth for a correct bite.

II. Root Canal

A root canal may be necessary if the tooth is infected or for a larger cavity. The dentist first numbs the patient and then drills the tooth until reaching the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. He/she then removes it and seals the tooth. A crown may also be placed over the affected tooth to protect it from further damage.

III. Tooth Extraction

Extracting a tooth can be an effective solution to prevent further infection. It’s also a common solution for a crowded mouth, especially with impacted teeth that require surgery. The procedure starts with local anesthetic being administered to numb the area. The dentist then rocks the tooth back and forth using forceps to remove it from the jawbone.

Final Thoughts

Toothaches are usually the result of a more serious oral problem that requires immediate attention. To treat a toothache, the dentist will first review your medical history and conduct an examination. After determining the cause, he/she will prescribe a suitable treatment.

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The Reason A Dental Abscess Needs To Receive Immediate Treatment

A dental abscess is a collection of pus around the tooth or in the jaw that will usually tend to grow and get bigger. It can get very uncomfortable because of the pressure, and it should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible.

Pus is made up of dead white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria. Excess bacteria is the usual cause of an abscess to occur, as the body walls off the infection to keep it localized.

Symptoms will begin as a dull ache in the tooth area, and it can quickly become worse with more pain and throbbing. The face and jaw can swell, and be very tender. The skin that is over the abscess will become red and very tender, and the tooth may be very painful to the touch, and might even become loose. There can be a high fever that accompanies the abscess and possible spasms of the jaw muscles.

emergency abscess treatment in albuquerqueIf the abscess should break internally, the infection can spread rapidly and it can be dangerous, as it can spread to the brain which can cause serious illness, or even death.

The dentist will drain the pus from the abscess by either lancing the abscess, or drilling a hole in the tooth to let the pus escape. Once the pus is drained, usually an antibiotic is prescribed to kill and infection that might be left.

It is possible that the tooth might have to be extracted if the abscess was large enough, or a root canal may have to be performed to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Pain killer medication is also usually prescribed.

It is never a good idea to wait and “ride it out” as the infection will usually persist. Even if an antibiotic is given, the pus still has to be cleared out so it will not reoccur.

If you have a dental abscess in Albuquerque give our emergency dental office a call immediately!