Tooth Pain – Worcester, MA

What to Do About Dental Discomfort

Are you experiencing tooth pain? Does your jaw hurt when you chew food?

Whether tooth pain is sharp and shooting or dull and persistent, it is important to visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Our team of dentists works with each patient to assess their dental concerns and create a treatment plan based on their needs.

The most important part of diagnosing tooth pain is understanding the root cause. This is part of Dr. Joseph Costa’s general dental services. Uncovering where the pain stems from can help our dentists create a more personalized treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms and improve your oral health. We are a judgment-free dental office and understand that accidents happen. Dr. Costa will work with you to determine the root cause of your tooth pain in Worcester.

Common Causes for Tooth Pain

A full dental exam is the best way to determine the cause of tooth pain. Our team of dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth, discuss your symptoms, and develop a comprehensive solution based on your unique needs. We will not recommend unneeded dental procedures and will always try to work within your budget.

Tooth pain can occur when there is inflammation in the pulp of your tooth. The pulp is full of nerve endings and, when exposed, may cause sensitivity or pain in the tooth. Tooth pain may stem from:

  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay
  • An abscess on your gums
  • Teeth grinding
  • Teeth clenching
  • Temporary gum infections
  • Recent mouth trauma from an accident

If you are experiencing pain in the jaw, gums, AND mouth, your pain may result from malocclusion, impacted wisdom teeth, a TMJ disorder, or oral cancer. There are so many causes that you can’t afford not to visit the dentist as soon as you think something is wrong.

Visiting the dentist is imperative to understanding your tooth pain and receiving the necessary treatment. Our team is committed to providing personalized, advanced solutions for patients in need. Don’t wait until a more serious dental problem arises before you visit our Worcester dental office.

Treating Tooth Pain

Treating tooth pain will depend on the underlying cause. Our team may suggest braces, dental fillings, dental crowns, or a root canal to alleviate your symptoms and restore your smile. If necessary, our team may recommend a tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved. We will focus our efforts on saving as much of the tooth as possible, but there are severe cases where it may not be helpful. We will refer you to a certified, trusted oral surgeon if oral surgery is needed.

We offer a complete range of restorative dentistry services to replace missing or extracted teeth. Our team will also perform periodontal disease treatment to repair infected gums. We will perform a full oral health exam to determine if dental implants, dentures, or a dental bridge is right for you.

Tooth Pain FAQs

Learn more about tooth pain and possible treatments with answers to these commonly asked questions:

My Tooth Hurts. Do I Need a Root Canal?

Persistent tooth pain may be a sign you need a root canal. An infection deep within the tooth typically causes extreme pain that most people describe as unbearable. Other signs you need a root canal include tooth discoloration, sensitivity, and swelling. Tooth pain can also be caused by tooth decay or crooked teeth.

What is the Best Way to Replace My Tooth if It Requires an Extraction?

If your tooth pain results in an extraction, a dental implant-supported crown is the best way to replace it. This is the only method available that will prevent bone loss and does not involve harming your healthy, surrounding teeth. A dental bridge is also a solution; however, two healthy adjacent teeth must be reduced to secure the bridge.

Can a Dental Cavity Hurt?

Most instances of tooth decay do not hurt the patient. However, if the decay goes unnoticed or untreated, it can grow very large and may become painful. Here, it can affect the nerves or cause the tooth to fracture. Severe cases of decay can even reach the inside of the tooth where the pulp is located and cause an infection. Once infection reaches the inside of the tooth, root canal therapy is necessary to clean the infection out and help relieve the pain.