Pain and discomfort in the teeth are not normal occurrences. If this is happening, it is vital that patients contact a dentist for an evaluation to determine the source of the issue. With a proper examination provided by Drs. Scott LeSueur, Glenn LeSueur, and Charles Dodaro of Drs of Smiles Gentle Family Dentistry of the Mesa, AZ community, patients can get a definitive diagnosis and speak to a provider about their condition and the effective treatment options.
What needs to be done about dental pain?
To determine the proper treatment for dental pain, it is necessary to first find the cause of the issue. With a diagnosis, patients can then work with their dental team to develop a treatment plan that meets their needs. Below are a few situations where pain may occur:
- Tooth decay. Also known as cavities, tooth decay is a breakdown of the natural tooth enamel caused by sugars and acids that have damaged the structure of the tooth. Patients with cavities may find themselves experiencing pain when they enjoy sweets or chew on the damaged tooth. The best treatment for this case is a dental filling.
- Sensitive teeth. Some patients have more sensitive teeth than others. It can result in discomfort when enjoying foods of varying temperatures. In many situations, this can be addressed with over-the-counter or prescription-strength toothpaste designed to thicken the enamel and lessen the sensitivity of the teeth.
- Abscess or deep infection. In situations where patients have an abscess or have an infection of the dental pulp inside of the tooth, a treatment known as root canal therapy may be needed. This is a treatment where the dentist removes the dental pulp from the inside of the tooth, disinfects the inside canals, and then seals the tooth and covers it with a dental crown. The only alternative to root canal therapy is permanent extraction, which our team will always prefer to avoid whenever possible.
Don’t let dental pain ruin your day!
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in one or more teeth, it is critical that you undergo an evaluation with a dentist at the Drs of Smiles Gentle Family Dentistry in Mesa, AZ. Call the office today at 480-834-6991 to speak to our team of providers, including Drs. Scott LeSueur, Glenn LeSueur, and Charles Dodaro.