Pain in the mouth can have a multitude of sources from decay, to infection, to injury, and more. It helps to educate yourself in advance of toothaches so that you can discern the possible source. Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Thanasi and Dr. Maria Loukas, would like to test your knowledge with a quiz on mouth and jaw pain.
Questions
Q1. True or false – Advanced tooth decay can be painful.
Q2. True or false – Sinus infections can feel like toothaches.
Q3. True or false – Abscessed teeth often get missed because they are usually painless.
Q4. True or false – Toothaches and gum pain can go hand-in-hand.
Answers
A1. TRUE – If you are overdue for a checkup and you notice a dull ache or even sharper pain in a specific tooth, you could have advanced tooth decay. When inflammation and bacteria travel through your dentin and into the nerves of your teeth, you may need root canal treatment. The good news? The sooner you get the bad cavity treated, the sooner the pain will stop.
A2. TRUE – Does your toothache pain come at the same time as sniffling and sneezing? If you experience sudden aching in your upper molars you could have an infection of your sinus tissues. Sinuses are quite close to your upper molars. Sinusitis is sometimes confused with toothaches.
A3. FALSE – When infection in a tooth or the roots of teeth spreads to your periodontal ligaments, you can develop a periodontal pocket that can lead to an extremely painful gum abscess. Pain from an abscess is generally strong and localized. It often has the appearance of a pimple-like bump near your tooth, on your gingival tissues.
A4. TRUE – Periodontal disease originates as plaque and tartar buildup along your gumline. As inflammation and infection spread, detachment of the gingival tissues at the tooth’s surface can occur. This forms periodontal pockets that can be a breeding ground for more infection.
Visit your Park Ridge Dentists
To schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, contact our Park Ridge, IL dentist office at 847.696.1919. Drs. Maria and Thanasi Loukas provide cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental care to patients living in and around Chicago, Park Ridge, and the 60068 zip code.
Request appointment