When you have tooth pain of any kind, it can be difficult to carry out the normal tasks of your day. Eating, talking, concentrating — even falling asleep — can become a challenge. But how can you tell if your tooth is diseased?
Getting to the root cause of tooth pain is essential for proper treatment. At the office of Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, in Butte, Montana, we offer many services to address a wide variety of dental concerns, including diseased teeth.
If you’re wondering whether your tooth is diseased or not, we can help. Our team has put together this guide with five signs of a diseased tooth and when to seek professional help.
Toothaches typically mean you have a cavity, but they can also be signs of gum disease. If your tooth is aching, it’s important to have it evaluated because a toothache can signal a more serious condition, like an impacted or abscessed tooth — especially when accompanied by swelling, redness, and/or fever.
Don’t wait to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilcox if your tooth is aching. Early intervention can prevent your tooth from dying and falling out or having to be removed.
Have you noticed your tooth hurts when exposed to hot or cold drinks or food? A sensitive tooth can indicate tooth decay, gum disease, and other conditions, like a cracked tooth or an exposed root.
If you have a tooth that has become sensitive, see Dr. Wilcox for a diagnosis. Your treatment plan depends on what’s causing the sensitivity.
Does your tooth hurt after you bite down on it while eating? This could be a sign of tooth decay or another problem with your tooth, like a crack or loose filling.
Sometimes, pain when biting down indicates damage to the dental pulp inside your tooth. Only a dentist can accurately assess the cause of the pain and treat the underlying condition so you can be pain-free.
If you have a mouth sore for a week or longer, it could be a sign that something is wrong with a tooth. There are different types of mouth sores, and they vary in their causes and severity.
While mouth sores don’t always indicate a problematic tooth, they can be the result of infection from bacteria in a diseased tooth or a broken tooth or filling. Dr. Wilcox evaluates any sore that doesn’t resolve after a week to ensure you get the treatment you need.
Many things can cause bad breath, from the food you eat to poor dental hygiene to smoking. But chronic bad breath can indicate a more serious dental issue.
When a tooth is diseased, bacteria can spread, triggering bad breath. Bad breath is also one of the signs of gum disease, which requires professional attention.
If you’re concerned about bad breath, schedule a visit with Dr. Wilcox. After determining the cause of your bad breath, he develops a treatment plan to resolve the issue.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs of a diseased tooth, seek medical attention sooner rather than later. An accurate diagnosis means early treatment, which can save your tooth in many cases.
Our team offers top-of-the-line dental care to men, women, and families. Dr. Wilcox carefully evaluates your teeth to ensure you get the dental services you need for a healthy smile.
Are you ready to learn more about the signs of a diseased tooth and what you can do about it? Call our friendly team at the office of Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, in Butte, Montana.
