Have you been hoping that your toothache will go away if you just ignore it? Waiting to see your dentist, Dr. Liqing Zhang of AZ Dental in Flossmoor, Richton Park, and Chicago Heights, IL, is never a good idea when you have tooth pain.
What can happen if you ignore your aching tooth
Toothaches are just one of those things that don't get better on their own. Putting off a visit to the dentist can increase your risk of these issues:
- Weakened Tooth: Tooth decay destroys the healthy structure of your tooth. Although a filling will restore the tooth, teeth damaged by large cavities are weaker and more likely to break and crack.
- More Costly Restoration: If your cavity is particularly large, you may need an inlay or onlay, a special type of lab-created filling that fits inside the cusps of your teeth or extends beyond the cusps. You may also need a crown if your cavity is large or your tooth is significantly weakened. Inlays, onlays, and crowns are more expensive than standard fillings.
- Pain: Toothache pain only gets worse as the decay spreads throughout your tooth. Pain that's mild or comes and goes may eventually become severe and constant if you don't see the dentist.
- More Cavities: Tooth decay can spread to other teeth if it's not treated promptly. Visiting your Flossmoor, Richton Park, or Chicago Heights, IL, dentist when you first notice your toothache will keep the decay from spreading.
- Infection: If tooth decay reaches the soft pulp in the center of your tooth, you could develop an abscess. This bacterial infection not only threatens your tooth but can jeopardize your health if it spreads via your bloodstream. Abscesses can cause severe, throbbing pain that keeps you up at night. Other symptoms include fever, swollen gums, facial or lymph node swelling, or pus on your gums. Root canal therapy, a crown, and antibiotics will help you avoid tooth loss and protect your oral and general health if you have an abscess.
Do you have a toothache? Don't delay in scheduling your visit with Dr. Zhang of AZ Dental in Flossmoor, Richton Park, and Chicago Heights, IL. Call (708) 957-2030 for the Flossmoor office, (708) 481-2288 for the Richton Park office, or (708) 709-1708 for the Chicago Heights office.