If you’re suffering from a toothache, even a seemingly minor one, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. There are many reasons why you could be experiencing pain in a tooth, but virtually all of them require professional attention. Having a specialist identify the exact cause of your toothache early helps to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Toothaches are frequently the result of dental decay. When you eat sugary foods, some of the sugars remain on your teeth. If you don’t brush them away thoroughly, they’ll develop into plaque, attracting bacteria that eat away at your dental tissue. Without a filling, the decay will continue. If it reaches your gums, you could develop gum disease. Over time, this condition may even result in the loss of a tooth if left untreated. 

Another potential cause is damage to the structure of your tooth or a previous filling. When a previous filling is damaged, it leaves your tooth exposed to further decay. If there’s a crack in your tooth that’s causing you pain, you need a dentist to confirm it doesn’t need any repairs to avoid more damage.

Toothaches can also indicate unhealthy habits that are causing damage to your teeth, such as grinding them at night. If you don’t see a professional, you might not be aware of these habits. Thus, you won’t take any measures to stop. Instead, you’ll continue to subject your teeth to extra damage.

No matter what the cause is, when you have a toothache, you need to seek expert treatment. With help from a professional, you’ll address whatever is causing your discomfort and protect your mouth from further damage.

Offering general dentistry services to patients in the Sacramento, CA, area, the dedicated team at the office of Ronald L. Rasmussen, DDS, will make sure your teeth receive the care they need. Contact them online to learn about scheduling an appointment, or call (916) 689-1100.