When you think of a toothache, you may automatically envision debilitating discomfort that forces you to visit your dentist as soon as possible. However, even slight sensitivity can be classified as a toothache, and in most cases, it indicates an issue that may progressively grow worse if not treated immediately. Even though it may not seem like one at first, you should treat your toothache as an emergency and call your dentist’s office to schedule an examination as soon as you notice it.

What Your Toothache Could Mean

As a symptom of a wide variety of potential issues, one of the reasons a toothache is an emergency is because it means that something is wrong, and you may not know what. For instance, your tooth might be sensitive because your enamel has grown thin, making the main body of your tooth more sensitive. Your toothache might also be caused by a crack or fracture that isn’t immediately obvious to you. In either case, ignoring the discomfort can lead to serious damage or infection that could eventually warrant emergency treatment.

Why Time Is of the Essence

In many ways, an aching tooth is a defense mechanism that warns of you danger to your tooth before extensive restoration is needed. If you treat a cavity early enough, you can stop the decay from reaching your tooth’s pulp. If you restore a slightly cracked tooth, you can prevent the fracture from growing more severe due to pressure from your bite. Early treatment not only relieves your toothache, but also saves the tooth from experiencing more extensive damage.

Find Emergency Relief for Your Toothache

If you have a sudden toothache, then it could indicate an emergency and you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108. We also welcome patients from Mount Vernon, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and all nearby communities.