What Your Toothache Is Trying To Tell You

Toothache Treatment in Chevy Chase MD

Many patients will visit our office because they are experiencing a toothache. Toothaches can be extremely uncomfortable to endure and usually occur when you are least expecting them. As your trusted dentist in Chevy Chase, MD, we want to make you aware of some potential underlying causes of a toothache. If you are currently experiencing a toothache, we encourage you to contact our office so that we can come up with a treatment plan to relieve your discomfort. Here are some potential causes of your toothache:

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a major dental concern that we treat in our office. It is caused by an excess buildup of tartar and plaque around the gum line. This buildup of harmful bacteria can begin to eat away at your soft tissues and infect the bone that holds your tooth in place, causing a toothache. To avoid the progression of gum disease, make sure to keep on track with your oral health appointments. We recommend visiting our office once every six months for a dental cleaning so that we can remove all plaque and tartar from your teeth surfaces before gum disease progresses and needs more complex treatment.

Damaged Tooth

If your tooth is broken, chipped, or cracked, this is likely the source of your toothache. Dental damage can occur due to facial trauma, biting onto something extra hard, or eating excessively crunchy foods. It’s important to seek restorative dentistry services as soon as you experience dental damage. Any compromises to your tooth surface make it easier for bacteria and food residue to cling to your teeth and cause decay. Additionally, if chips or cracks progress too deep, they can reach the inner pulp of your teeth and cause pain. Dr. Banks may recommend a dental crown, dental bridge, or dental implant depending on the extent of your dental damage.

Cavities and Tooth Decay

Cavities and tooth decay are known for causing toothaches, especially if they progress far enough into your tooth and infect the pulp. When this occurs, you may need a root canal to relieve the discomfort. The root canal procedure involves removing the diseased tissue from inside of the tooth. Dr. Banks will disinfect the tooth and fill it with a biocompatible material. The tooth is then sealed using a dental crown or filling to prevent future infection and provide long term stability. In most cases, the root canal procedure is done in our Chevy Chase dental office. For complicated cases, Dr. Banks may refer you to a local endodontist.

Schedule An Appointment

The best thing to do for your toothache is to schedule an appointment. Even after your pain subsides, it’s important to have Dr. Banks evaluate what caused the pain in the first place to help you avoid future discomfort. Dr. Christopher Banks and the talented team at our Chevy Chase dental office strive to treat problems in their earliest stage, using the most conservative methods available. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Location

2 Wisconsin Circle
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Request Appointment

new patients 301.654.5878

current patients 301.654.5878 or Text Us

Hours

Monday
By Appointment Only
9:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday
8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday
8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday
9:00am – 4:00pm
Friday
8:00am -4:00pm
Saturday
By Appointment Only