San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Nothing can ruin your day quite like a toothache. Tooth pain can affect your ability to eat. You may feel it when you make certain movements, or it might be severe enough to keep you up at night. Tooth pain has a habit of showing up at the most inconvenient times possible: over a weekend or on vacation or any other time when it can be difficult to make it to your dentist. Let’s take a deeper look at three common sources of tooth pain and how your San Francisco dentist can help.
Bite alignment problems can lead to chronic pain, bad enough to become debilitating and impede your ability to function on a daily basis. These alignment problems could stem from uneven tooth wear, the emergence of wisdom teeth, or growth in the bones of the face. Bite misalignment also is a common consequence of TMJ disorder, which occurs when the temporomandibular joint—the small round joint connecting the jaws to the skull—enters a state of dysfunction. The staff at Glen Park Dental includes two practitioners of neuromuscular dentistry, a specialization of dental science that focuses on the alignment of the bite and jaw. Your neuromuscular dentists in San Francisco at Glen Park Dental will determine the ideal position of your bite and jaw, and prepare treatments accordingly, looking to prevent the muscular imbalances that can cause instability of teeth and bone structure.
Sensitivity to heat and cold is one of the most frequent complains related to tooth pain. This can be uncomfortable and frustrating, as the sensitivity can come and go with no apparent rhyme or reason. One day, drinking a hot cup of coffee or a cold soft drink will trigger a reaction. The next, a sugary dessert or a sour candy will provoke feelings of pain. You can take some measures yourself to reduce sensitivity, like snacking more on cheese, yogurt, and nuts instead of acidic foods, or using a more gentle technique when brushing your teeth. You also might consider using a type of toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. If none of these remedies resolve the problem, make an appointment at Glen Park Dental for an examination, because extreme tooth pain in these instances could be a sign of something more serious such as an infected tooth.
Tooth decay causes the most significant dental pain. Whether taking the form of a cavity or something more serious like an infected tooth root or abscess, any type of tooth decay should be evaluated and treated by the professional dentists at Glen Park Dental. When you have a cavity, the bacteria that cause the decay begin to eat away at the interior structure of your tooth, eventually reaching the nerve, and creating an infection in the bone under the tissue of your gums. A root canal is usually the necessary procedure to treat a toothache of this type, as this procedure also removes the infection.
Toothache in San Francisco
Remember that, as adults, each of us is responsible for our own oral health. Do your part by maintaining the recommended regimen of dental hygiene: brushing twice per day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist once each six months for a check-up that includes a cleaning and an examination of your teeth and mouth. Following these steps will help reduce your chance of getting an unexpected toothache.
At Glen Park Dental, we strive to provide comprehensive oral care, making our practice a “one-stop shop” for all your dental needs. Our range of services includes preventive care treatments and early diagnosis of oral concerns. To learn more about any of our services, call (415) 585-1500 to schedule your consultation.
Glen Park Dental serves patients in the areas of Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
