Here is the thing: I have had something wrong with my tooth off and on for a while where when i chew on that side of my mouth it would be intense pain but only when i ate and it would go away fairly quickly. What do i have? It's come back again and its on both sides and its affecting my desire to eat. It only hurts when i eat on it.
2007-03-13 12:12:46 · 15 answers · asked by Shaun M 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Like it doesnt hurt longer than a few seconds after i bite on it. I dont think Ive broken the tooth. I think it may be a cavity. I'm not sure tho. The tooth is in the middle of my mouth on the bottom. If that helps anymore plz notify
2007-03-13 12:27:47 · update #1
Sounds like you are pressing on the nerve everytime you chew. That could mean a damaged tooth, an infection, or a myriad of other things. I'd go see a dentist.
2007-03-13 12:16:29 · answer #1 · answered by makawao_kane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi Shaun, I've been a dental hygienist for more than 20 years and your symptom is a classic one for someone that has a fractured tooth. Your description of the tooth only hurting when you bite down on something (usually something hard like a popcorn kernal or a bit of bone in meat I would guess) causing a flash of intense pain that then goes away is right on the money. What happens is that when there is a fracture in the tooth, every time you bite down on something hard, you are causing the tooth to "flex" and it's the flexing of an otherwise hard surface not meant to flex that causes the intense pain. (kinda like if you tried to bend your knee the other way...not meant to happen and would hurt alot!) Unfortunately, most of the time an xray won't show a fracture, but it is necessary to rule out any decay (cavity). Since 99% of people would notice small hairline cracks just looking at their teeth in a strong light, there usually isn't a good way to tell for certain exactly where the fracture is until the weakened part breaks off. In my office, we are pretty conservative with our treatment and usually we wait until the tooth eventually breaks off the bit where the fracture was and repair it at that time. Some offices will push treatment and recommend you get a crown (cap) on the tooth right away. When they place a crown, the dr. preps the tooth by basically carving it down to a "stump" and then putting a new tooth top on it (the crown). By doing that, they have removed the fractured piece of tooth and solidified the remaining too by holding it together with the crown on top.
I had a tooth just like this too, and I put off having it crowned for about 10 years, learned to avoid biting down on hard stuff on that tooth. Then when I had it crowned everything felt fine again. Good luck to you!
2007-03-13 21:32:36 · answer #2 · answered by ladysashya 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Of course, only a dentist can tell you exactly what is going on with your teeth. He needs to talk w/ you and evaluate your tooth by looking at an x-ray.
However, if I had to guess, I would say that the recommended treatment for what you describe is a root canal. Root canals are generally called for when there is pain associated with chewing food, but the pain isn't constant.
Go see a dentist. There can be a fine line between saving a tooth via rooth canal and needing to have the tooth exracted because the decay is too deep.
Root canals are painless and to me, worth saving the tooth.
Best wishes!
2007-03-13 19:19:50 · answer #3 · answered by Josi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds as if you have an infection.
See a dentist immediately.
Fool around and you could lose the tooth or end up with a root canal.
Although root canals aren't too bad, they are quite expensive and you'll usually need a crown after that - another expense.
Better to take care of it now.
2007-03-13 19:17:41 · answer #4 · answered by blue.green_eyes 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You may just have some tooth sensitivity issues. Definitely go see a dentist as soon as possible.
2007-03-13 19:17:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is an old chinese remedy, and I know this is going to sound disgusting, but this really does work.
Take fecal matter, and hold it to the side of your face where the toothache is. Gently rub for two minutes. Do this twice a day for two days. If this doesn't work, go to the dentist.
2007-03-13 19:21:46 · answer #6 · answered by christina mcafoos 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should not be afraid to visit a Dentist?
In the meanwhile buy a tiny bottle of CLOVE-OIL. Soak a small cotton bud and when it is soaked in the Magic liqued and applied, I am out of here.
2007-03-13 19:25:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You may have a sensitive gum area on that side. Also, you may have cracked your teeth.
I would recommend seeing a Dentist for that.
Good luck!
2007-03-13 19:18:20 · answer #8 · answered by Derek B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably just a cavity, or maybe wisdom tooth
2007-03-13 19:15:41 · answer #9 · answered by camaroconvertible 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
go to the dentist you probably need a root canal. it will only get worse. marquette dental school is cheap if you don,t have ins.
2007-03-13 19:17:10 · answer #10 · answered by Norman T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋