Why Ignoring a Toothache Can Put Your Overall Health at Risk

A persistent toothache can cause trouble in your everyday life. It can be nagging and get in the way of mealtimes and even your sleep! You may be tempted to wait it out and let it heal on its own, but this can be worse for you. While severe dental pain is already a dental emergency, leaving it to its own devices can turn it into something worse or even put your overall health at risk. Keep reading to learn how and in what ways your dentist can help.

What Causes a Toothache?

There are a couple of different reasons that can lead to a toothache. You may be grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep, have sinus pressure, or even have an infection attacking a tooth. The latter culprit often needs urgent dental care.

If an infection is true for you, then bacteria are inside one of your teeth, causing issues to the inner pulp and nerve. Over time, it can cause enough damage that the pain stops, but the problem is still there. This is even more urgent as it can spread to the rest of your smile, gums, and even your body.

Can a Toothache Be Fatal?

Nowadays, a toothache being fatal is rare. In the past, patients weren’t as lucky. For instance, in the 1600s, the fifth to sixth leading cause of death was a tooth infection. Jumping to 1908, these oral health issues resulted in it about 10% to 40% of the time.

That being said, modern dentistry has made this event very unlikely. However, it’s still possible for the infection to spread across your body and cause other diseases, such as meningitis, sepsis, and Ludwig’s Angina. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the signs of this condition so that you can get the treatment you deserve. Here are some notable ones:

• Persistent bad breath
• Fever, chills, swelling
• Tooth sensitivity
• Fatigue, headache, dizziness

How Can a Dentist Treat a Toothache?

If you notice any of the symptoms above or have a nagging toothache, then it’s crucial you visit your dentist right away. By letting your provider get a look at your oral health, they can find the root of the problem. With this, they can come up with a treatment plan that tackles the issue and gets you back to a pain-free smile once again.

While a toothache can be an annoyance, going to your dentist is beneficial. It’s better to be safe than sorry; that way, you avoid the worry of it worsening and stay confident knowing your grin is the best it can be.

About the Practice

At Orange Place Family Dentistry, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Jed Koops and Dr. Thanh Mollica. We are here for the Beachwood community during their dental emergencies. By offering same-day appointments and state-of-the-art technology, we can find what’s causing the problem and take steps to treat it. If you have a tooth that’s hurting, schedule an appointment or call our office at (216) 464-2448.