I have a toothache

Toothache discomfort can range from an annoying jolt when you bite down, to a persistent throb that keeps you awake at night, or pain so acute you can barely stand it. You don't have to suffer with toothache pain. Drs. Kosta and Kristen Adams focus on helping patients throughout the Sacramento, CA area avoid toothaches with excellent dental care. Despite good home hygiene and regular check-ups, problems can still arise.

What causes a toothache?

The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity. However, it can also be triggered by trauma, bite problems, bruxism (excessive clenching or grinding), infection, gum disease, TMJ disorders, or in children, the eruption of new teeth. Only a thorough examination by a qualified dentist can get to the root of the problem.

Emergency dental care for toothache

Generally speaking, your level of pain will determine if a regular appointment is in order, or if you need to see the dentist right away. However, please call our office immediately, if any of these symptoms accompany your toothache:

• Breathing problems
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever
• Foul-tasting discharge
• Severe pain when you bite
• Swelling in the area of the tooth that is hurting

We leave time in the daily schedule for both dentists, to be sure emergency cases can be seen promptly. After examining your mouth to determine the exact location and probable cause of the toothache, we may take x-rays to check for decay between teeth, cracks or hidden breakage, or an impacted tooth. Our priority is to get you out of pain, so the area is thoroughly numbed before treatment begins. If you are very upset or concerned about treatment, the dentist will talk with you about the possibility of nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. We may prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to take after your appointment for comfort and to speed healing.

Then our team gets to work to resolve the source of your toothache. This may involve:

• Filling a cavity
• Replacing a broken or dislodged restoration
• Root canal therapy
• Extraction

Once you are out of discomfort and the immediate crisis is under control, the dentist talks with you about caring for your mouth to foster quick healing, and ways to potentially avoid future toothaches. If Dr. Kosta or Dr. Kristen Adams feel that the underlying cause of your toothache (such as TMD, gum disease, or bruxism) requires further treatment, a follow-up appointment is scheduled.

Please don't hesitate to call our office at 916-999-1302 if you are hurting. We'll provide calming advice, call in a prescription if needed, and provide compassionate emergency dental treatment. In our chair, you can be sure you'll get the care you need – not a lecture.