HOW YOUR DENTIST DIAGNOSES TOOTH PAIN
Tooth pain can be a sign of a serious dental problem, and you should visit a dentist near Naples for dental care as soon as possible. Your dentist will determine if your tooth pain is due to a serious infection that necessitates a tooth extraction or root canal. Here is a look at how your dentist will diagnose the underlying cause of your tooth pain.
Asking about Your Symptoms
Your dentist will first ask you for detailed information about your symptoms. This may include the severity and duration of the pain, when it occurs and subsides, and what you are doing when it occurs. Momentary or lingering pain after consuming hot or cold foods or beverages can be a sign of a loose filling or crown, gum recession, or damaged dental pulp. Sharp pain when biting down can be a sign of tooth decay, a loose filling or crown, or a broken or chipped tooth. Constant and severe pain combined with inflamed gums and a fever can be a sign of a tooth infection or abscess.
Giving You a Dental Exam and Taking Diagnostic Images
After you tell your dentist about your symptoms, he will perform a thorough dental exam. He should check for signs of infection, inflammation, a damaged or chipped tooth, tooth decay, dental cavities, a loose or broken filling or crown, and other dental problems. Next, he will take diagnostic images of your mouth, teeth, and jaw using digital radiography. Dental radiographs give your dentist detailed, precise images of your teeth and bones, allowing him to quickly spot problems.
Performing Laboratory Tests
If the dental exam and diagnostic images don’t reveal anything concrete, your family dentist may also perform laboratory tests. Blood tests can indicate the presence of an infection in your tooth or bone. Infections typically require swift dental care to ensure that you don’t end up needing a tooth extraction. Your dentist might recommend that you undergo a root canal procedure to eliminate the infected tissue and save your natural tooth.
