Does a Toothache Always Equal an Extraction?

Here's The Rundown

You've been up half the night thanks to the pain from that nagging aching tooth. Come to think of it, you were up half of the night before as well. Painkillers from the local chemists aren't even touching the pain anymore and you know you really should book an appointment with a dentist ASAP. But you don't like needles and pain, you're not even that fond of dentists and you really don't want to go through a tooth extraction. So you're stalling...

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But does toothache equal extraction automatically? The answer is a little more complicated than you might think...

What's Causing the Pain?
Before you start ringing around dentists in Sydney asking about tooth extraction pricing it's important to understand one thing; tooth pain has lots of different causes and they don't all mean that the first thing a dentist is going to want to do is yank the offending tooth out. In fact, it's probably the last thing they want to do as they actually spent all of those years in dental school learning to save teeth rather than just do extraction after extraction.

Alternatives to Tooth Extraction
Because there are lots of different reasons a tooth might be giving you trouble, there are also lots of ways to treat these problems. If a cavity is the culprit then a simple filling may be the answer. If it's actually a gum infection - something that's more common than you might think - then a good deep cleaning and a course of antibiotics often works wonders. A tooth extraction is not even the automatic recommendation when the pain involves wisdom teeth, whatever you might have been told.  And the pain may not really even be coming from a tooth at all.

Getting to the Root of the Problem
As we mentioned, the real key to getting to the root of the problem when it comes to a toothache is a careful, considered dental examination. This will often involve taking x-rays   and a chat about your past dental history as well as a routine exam. Only then can a dentist figure out what's really going on and present a patient with their treatment recommendations and options.

Isn't It Just Easier to Get a Bad Tooth Out?
In some cases, the problem that's really been causing a nasty toothache may come along with several different possible treatments options and yes, one of them might be extraction and that may sound like it's the quickest, easiest and possibly least expensive way to go.

However, before you choose that option based on time or money, listen carefully to what your dentist as to say. Every tooth in your head is there for a reason, even those pesky wisdom teeth, and if it's no longer there may very well be downsides you don't really won't 'get' until it's too late and the tooth is gone for good.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:

Don't automatically assume that an aching tooth is one that's going to have to come out. Give us a ring, come in for an appointment after hours, or when needed, and we'll work out the best course of treatment for you and your tooth.

Don't forget to checkout our Dental Emergency Care Tips if you're experiencing discomfort.

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Sudden Tooth Pain: The Complete List of Causes & Treatments

Diagnosing What's Causing It.. And Making it Stop!

Brain Freeze! We are all prone to occasional aches and pains, but it's fair to say, we think, that any kind of tooth pain can be particularly bothersome (to say the least.) Like a headache that just won't go away, tooth pain can be truly miserable and the problem's only made worse by the fact that much of the time you can't even be sure why you are in pain or how to begin treat it.

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There are, in fact, all kinds of reasons that a tooth (or teeth) may start giving you gip, but these are the ones most commonly seen at Emergency Dentist Sydney:

Pain after Eating or Drinking Very Cold - of Very Hot - Foods
This can be the kind of sharp pain that really knocks you for six, if only for a minute or so. But it keeps happening and all the joy of eating an ice cream or downing a morning cup of Joe is fading fast.

The problem here is often is what the toothpaste ads often refer to as 'sensitive teeth'. There can be all kinds of causes; a slightly exposed nerve, a forming cavity, weakened tooth enamel or gum damage of some kind. In the short term try switching to a softer toothbrush and trying one of the toothpastes made to help 'desensitise' teeth. If the problem is a long term one however make a not to book a dentist's appointment to discuss a better solution.

Pain When Eating or Drinking Hot and Cold Foods After Dental Work
This particular issue is not unusual, especially if you have had a root canal or a filling recently. It's a temporary sensitivity that should disappear in a few days as things begin to heal up properly. In the meantime aspirin can help and following the dentist's post treatment care instructions is a must. However, if the pain persists for longer than expected, or gets worse rather than improving, you should contact your dentist right away.

Pain When Biting on Food
Eating regular, everyday foods should never be painful. And when and if it is, the chances are good that there is a problem that needs to be addressed and probably as soon as possible. The issue may be a cracked tooth, a loose filling, a cavity or, well, it could be a number of things. In this situation make a dentist's appointment as soon as possible so that the cause of the pain can be diagnosed and treated quickly, before any further damage occurs.

Aching Pressure on Upper Teeth/Sinus Area
This one is hard to even begin to self-diagnose as pain from infected sinuses can feel like terrible upper back tooth pain and vice versa. This is because there are a bunch of shared nerves back there, so really only a doctor's visit or a trip to the dentist can determine the true cause. Whatever you do though, wherever you go first, don't wait, because this is a horrible, nagging pain that very rarely goes away on its own.

Swollen, Painful, Inflamed Gums
Gum disease is all too common and if it's not addressed early then 'simple' gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums and even the bone that holds the teeth in place can be severely weakened. Often painful, swollen gums are a sign of infection, something that needs to be treated as soon as possible, not only to potentially save a tooth or two but to prevent the spread of infection through the rest of your body.

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The #EmergencyDentist Says:

'Oh it's only a toothache'. Not. Tooth pain sucks. Pure and simple. It sucks even more if it strikes outside of 'business hours'. But you don't have to wait it out like a trooper just to try and be big and brave. The Emergency Dentist Sydney can help you anytime time any day when you need us.

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