Patients often come to our Chapel Hill dentist’s office complaining about tooth pain. Symptoms usually vary widely from one individual to another and can have a variety of underlying causes. Dr. Jim Furgurson or Dr. Nathan White will listen to your concerns at your appointment. After a complete mouth examination, our dentists will design a treatment plan to treat tooth pain in their Chapel Hill, NC, office.
This plan could involve any combination of general or restorative dentistry treatments, depending on the problem’s severity. Tooth pain is a dental concern that has many causes. Dental infections, tooth damage, or tooth decay can create chronic pain and discomfort. We will thoroughly examine your mouth and consider your symptoms to determine the best treatment for your tooth pain.
Common Tooth Pain Symptoms
Tooth pain is often not your only symptom if you develop a dental problem. There are many common dental symptoms that you can experience in addition to tooth pain in Chapel Hill, NC:
Sensitive Teeth
Most people have experienced momentary tooth sensitivity. Hot or cold foods and drinks often cause tooth sensitivity. For minor problems, patients may find it beneficial to switch to a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. These types of toothpaste can minimize or eliminate tooth pain symptoms.
Persistent tooth sensitivity that causes moderate or severe tooth pain can indicate tooth decay. Dr. Furgurson will examine the tooth and create a personalized treatment plan. A root canal is the most common procedure for dealing with this type of tooth pain. Dr. Miller will remove the inflamed or diseased tooth pulp and seal the tooth with a dental crown.
Jaw Pain
You may have a TMJ disorder if tooth pain is concentrated in the jaw or face. Tooth pain can result from pressure in the jaw joints and pressure from grinding or clenching teeth. Other TMJ disorder symptoms include headaches, earaches, jaw pops or clicks, lockjaw, or teeth grinding.
Pain When Chewing
If you experience tooth pain when you chew or bite, you could have a cracked tooth, broken crown, or loose filling. Another cause may be a tooth cavity. Dr. Furgurson will examine your condition and create a personalized treatment plan. After you heal from treatment, you will find that eating is more comfortable.
Constant or Severe Pain
If you have severe tooth pain or tooth pain that won’t go away, you may have severe tooth decay or an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus that can develop outside the tooth. It can cause an infection of the tooth pulp, surrounding gum, and possibly bone. If you experience this type of tooth pain, contact our Chapel Hill dental office for an appointment with Dr. Furgurson.
Treating Tooth Pain in Chapel Hill, NC
The dentists at Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry offer many treatments to help you find relief from your tooth pain. These treatments include:
- Dental Filling: We recommend dental fillings when you have a small tooth cavity. A filling can preserve a tooth after we remove an infection or treat tooth damage that causes pain. Our office provides white fillings because they blend in with natural teeth.
- Root Canal: A root canal removes infected dental pulp from within a tooth. Removing infected tooth pulp relieves chronic tooth pain and helps prevent further tooth infection.
- Dental Crown: A crown is a cap that can cover teeth after root canal treatment and protect damaged teeth. Regular tooth pain from biting and chewing damaged or infected teeth creates pain. Placing a crown also creates a more even bite to relieve pressure and pain in the jaw.
- Tooth Extraction: If we cannot save an infected tooth with a root canal, we recommend removing the problem tooth. We can also remove impacted or infected teeth. Once you heal from a tooth extraction, you will not feel pain or discomfort from problem teeth.
- Dental Bonding: Teeth bonding uses tooth-colored resin to cover tooth damage. Bonding can add structure to tooth chips and cracks. Treating these dental problems can prevent pain from biting and chewing with damaged teeth. They can also prevent further tooth damage.
For patients who avoid the dentist due to fear and anxiety, we also offer sedation dentistry to help you receive the treatment you need. This ensures you do not feel discomfort as we treat tooth pain.
Tooth Pain FAQs
Do you have more questions about tooth pain? Learn more with answers to these common questions:
How long does a toothache last without treatment?
Most toothaches go away after a few hours or days, but it can last up to a week. Some toothaches can last for months. The sooner you treat a toothache, the quicker it will go away. Treating tooth pain can also immediately treat the cause of your pain, which can damage your natural teeth.
How do you stop a toothache?
Brushing your teeth twice daily is the best way to prevent or stop toothaches. Good oral hygiene keeps your mouth healthy and prevents bacteria that may cause toothaches. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks such as soda and candy may also drastically help stop toothaches. Staying hydrated and drinking a lot of water throughout the day is a great way to relieve and prevent toothache pain.
How do you stop a tooth from throbbing?
If your tooth is throbbing, the first step is to rinse with warm saltwater. This will soothe the area because salt removes any bacteria that cause pain. Using a cold or warm compress on your cheek helps relieve throbbing. You may also take an OTC pain reliever to soothe throbbing.
Schedule a Dental Visit
Chapel Hill Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is your one-stop shop for comprehensive dental care. We provide dental services for the whole family. Dentists in Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities refer patients to us for advanced dental treatments.
If you are experiencing tooth pain, contact our Chapel Hill dentist’s office at your earliest convenience by calling 919.736.6175. You can also schedule a dental exam and consultation today.