Why Am I Waking Up with Jaw Pain?
If you keep waking up with sore or tender jaw muscles, you might wonder why. In this blog, we cover five potential causes of morning jaw pain and how our team can help you find the relief you need.
Why You Should Never Ignore Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is often dismissed as a temporary inconvenience, but the discomfort may be a symptom of an underlying issue that shouldn’t be ignored. If you have a toothache, don’t wait for your next dental exam to talk to us about it. The Dental Center of Hercules team are no strangers when to helping our patients find relief from tooth pain.
Below, Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro shares four reasons why you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to tooth pain and the potential consequences of doing so.
1. You can’t identify the root cause if you ignore tooth pain
While you might think of pain as purely a negative thing, it does do good. It tells you that something is wrong, so you can take action to correct it. It could be a cavity, a cracked tooth, or an infection, and getting the right treatment can potentially save your smile and save you from more complex (and expensive) treatment later down the road.
2. Ignoring infection-related pain can lead to serious complications
Tooth pain can be a sign of an oral infection. Ignoring this pain can allow the infection to spread, and potentially affect neighboring teeth or even your jawbone.
Oral infections can cause intense pain, facial swelling, and difficulty eating. In severe cases, untreated infections and chronic oral inflammation can lead to:
- Systemic health issues
- Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Increased risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems
The bottom line: ignoring infection-related pain can lead to pain and bodywide complications. Getting prompt treatment can help you get relief from the immediate pain and help avoid these complications.
3. Ignoring pain can compromise the integrity of your tooth
Ignoring a toothache could potentially increase the risk of tooth loss. For example, if a severe infection or decay isn’t addressed, you may not be able to save your tooth. The best option at that point may be an extraction.
On the other hand, addressing tooth pain promptly can often mean the preservation of tooth structure. For example, a filling can stop the spread of decay and prevent the need for more extensive restorations. If you need a root canal, that too can save you from other interventions, such as an extraction. In fact, root canals are sometimes called “tooth-saving” procedures for that very reason!
4. Ignoring pain can impact your quality of life
Persistent tooth pain can significantly impact your daily life. Chewing, speaking, and even sleeping may become challenging. A lack of sleep can then make your pain seem worse, since sleep and pain are connected bidirectionally.
Prompt dental care promptly here at The Dental Center of Hercules not only alleviates your pain but also enhances your overall quality of life so you can eat, sleep, and speak comfortably.
What to do if you have a toothache
While you might be tempted to power through tooth pain, resist! Remember, pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong, and Dr. Teodoro is here to help you pinpoint the source so you can get the relief you need.
However, you may still want some pain relief before you head to our office. You can help alleviate some discomfort with:
- Cold compresses to reduce swelling
- Over-the-counter pain relief medication
- Salt water rinses
- Using orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to cover a broken filling
While the above options can help temporarily alleviate toothaches, you need to treat the root cause to get lasting relief.
Get lasting relief for your tooth pain
Once you’re at our office, Dr. Teodoro examines your mouth, reviews your symptoms, and may order digital dental X-rays.
Depending on the source of your pain, you might benefit from specific procedures, such as extractions (in the case of an impacted wisdom tooth), tooth-colored fillings, root canals, bonding to repair chips, or even restoration repair (in the case of broken crowns or bridges).
In some cases, you may also benefit from medication, such as antibiotics, medicated mouthwashes, or pain relievers.
You don’t need to ignore tooth pain because help is just a call or click away. Reach us at 510-254-3328. For less urgent matters, book your next appointment here.
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