We’ve all been there—feeling a twinge of tooth pain and hoping it will go away on its own. Maybe you pop a painkiller, chew on the other side, and tell yourself you’ll call the dentist “if it gets worse.” But here’s the truth: tooth pain is never something you should ignore.
At BOOM Smiles, we see patients every week who delayed treatment—only to face more pain, more complex procedures, and higher costs. In this blog, we’ll explain why tooth pain happens, what can happen if you wait too long, and how quick action can protect both your smile and your overall health.
Tooth pain is your body’s alarm system. It’s a sign that something isn’t right and needs attention. Common causes include:
Delaying treatment doesn’t just prolong discomfort—it allows the underlying problem to progress, sometimes rapidly. Here’s what could happen:
1) The Pain Gets Worse: A small cavity or minor crack might start as mild sensitivity. But without treatment, the damage deepens, and the pain becomes more severe and constant.
2) Infection Can Spread: If the tooth’s pulp becomes infected, bacteria can travel to your gums, jawbone, and even other parts of your body. In rare cases, untreated dental infections can become life-threatening.
3) You Could Lose the Tooth: Many toothaches are caused by problems that, if caught early, are simple to treat. Waiting too long can make saving the tooth impossible, leading to a tooth extraction.
4) You May Need More Complex (and Costly) Treatment: What could have been fixed with a small filling may turn into a root canal treatment, crown, or implant procedure if ignored.
5) Your Overall Health Could Be Affected: Oral health is directly linked to systemic health. Untreated infections can strain your immune system and have been linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and more.
Call us right away if you experience:
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