Toothache

"I have been going to Dr. Blackley for years. We have moved numerous times because of the military, but every time I have come back to Dr. Blackley. He and his staff are friendly, helpful and experienced. I won't go to anyone else."

— Susan

Toothaches

Ouch! No fun.

The worst toothache is usually from an infected tooth. When the inside of the tooth has gotten bacteria in it, the bacterium starts to grow and expand causing pain. Antibiotics can help shrink the expanding infection and give some relief in a day or two. The nerve chamber then needs to be cleaned and filled in to save the tooth. If the tooth is not fixed or removed, the infection will return and can affect other parts of the body.

Sometimes the nerve in the tooth can be inflamed or irrated causing the tooth to be sensitive to hot, cold, or chewing. It may just ache at times. Many times it is hard to pinpoint the exact tooth. We do tests to find the exact tooth and once the tooth has been pinpointed, the best fix is to remove the nerve and fill the nerve chamber to remove the pain and prevent further infection.

Gum disease can cause a dull nagging ache that may not be severe, but is a nuisance. Teeth can also hurt from decay when something is eaten and food gets stuck in the cavity. It is important to get any decay fixed as soon as possible to keep it from getting bigger.

Severe clenching and grinding can also cause teeth to ache. Sometimes it's a matter of adjusting the way your teeth close together, or adding a nightguard to protect the tooth from clenching or grinding during sleep.

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