Got a Toothache? Here’s Why You Should See Our Team ASAP

As far as health concerns go, a toothache might seem like it’s not a huge deal. That doesn’t mean you should let it linger, though.

For starters, if you’ve been feeling that pain for more than a couple of days, it’s probably not going to get better. Secondly, if you’re dealing with tooth decay, the issue will get worse if you don’t intervene. That means you may wind up needing more involved dental care, like a root canal or even a tooth extraction. 

Most importantly, though, your tooth is likely infected — and that infection could spread and cause bigger problems. 

If you have a toothache, we recommend making a prompt appointment with Dr. Sujay Trivedi or Dr. Michael Westcott here at Family Dental Care in West Palm Beach, Florida. Here’s why. 

When (and why) to see a dentist about a toothache

If your tooth just started hurting today, you can apply a wait-and-see mentality. But not for long. Dental experts — including Dr. Westcott and Dr. Trivedi — recommend waiting no longer than two days before seeking care. 

The discomfort could be stemming from something simple, like the shell of a piece of popcorn stuck in your gums. But if it persists after a couple of days, something more serious is probably at play. 

In many cases, a toothache comes from decay. That means bad bacteria is eating away at your tooth. The sooner you intervene, the easier it is to stop that decay and save your tooth. 

If the decay gets past the hard outer coating of your tooth and into the sensitive pulp inside, it can cause an abscess. This infection isn’t just painful — it’s also risky. Left unchecked, that infection can spread to your jaw or the surrounding soft tissue. In serious cases, it could even spread through your blood and reach your brain or heart. 

Ultimately, the longer you wait, the bigger the problem is likely to become. So, if you’ve had a toothache for more than a couple of days, see our team for emergency dental care ASAP. 

How we treat a toothache

Once you get to our office, Dr. Trivedi or Dr. Westcott evaluates your tooth. With an oral exam and digital X-rays, we can figure out if you’re dealing with tooth decay and, if so, how far it’s advanced. We also check for signs of an abscess. 

Then, we develop a plan to treat the issue and stop any infection from spreading.

In some cases, that means a simple filling, where we remove the damaged portion of the tooth and replace it with the filling material. If the infection has reached the pulp inside your tooth, however, you’ll need a deeper root canal treatment to clear it up. 

In extreme cases, we may even recommend tooth extraction. But don’t worry. With options like a dental bridge or dentures, we can fill the gap and restore your smile. 

Get help for your toothache today

As with most health concerns, the sooner you seek treatment for your toothache, the easier it is to treat. Don’t wait — call our Family Dental Care team at 561-556-1698 today, or book an appointment online at your convenience.