Why Ignoring a Toothache is a Bad Idea

Toothaches are the worst. They can have you feeling helpless and make you very unproductive. The pain can even escalate to unbearable levels, leaving you quasi-paralyzed.

While toothaches are one of the most common ailments experienced by many, they are also one of the most often neglected. There are many reasons for this laxity in addressing toothache concerns.

One is the fear of going to the dentist. It is not a secret that many people are scared of going to the dentist because they correlate dentist visitations to pain.

Another reason is financial incapacity. Some people do not have enough resources to afford even a simple dental cleaning or check-up.

Moreover, people are always busy.  Sometimes life can be so hectic that people can neglect their health and overall well-being.

Unknown to many, toothaches can be more than just a mere pain in the tooth. While toothaches are not as grave as to amount to a death by toothache, they can signal a potentially more serious health concern.

The causes of toothaches are many. They can range from a simple tooth cavity to a more complex health problem like diabetes or even a potentially fatal heart attack.

Bacteria From Your Tooth Abscess Can Travel To Your Brain

You may be familiar of the heart-wrenching true story of a 12-year old boy from Maryland, Deamonte Driver, who died in 2007 because of an untreated dental problem.

Driver was in need of an $80 tooth extraction but due to the financial difficulties faced by his family during that time, he was not able to get his infected tooth taken out. After some time, the bacteria from his infected tooth managed to make its way to his brain.

By the time his abscessed tooth was removed, the chronic meningitis caused by the bacteria that went to his brain has already reached a severe stage and caused his early death.

If you have an abscessed tooth, make sure to get it extracted immediately. A busy or a hectic schedule is not a problem because a tooth extraction dentist may be available to serve you day or night, on weekends and even on holidays.

Ignoring A Toothache Can Lead To Higher Costs Of Dental Repair

As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Truly, this is the case with dental problems.

A toothache is most commonly caused by tooth decay or a cavity. If left untreated, tooth decay on one tooth can also cause decay on the nearby healthy teeth.

This would mean more problems for you and a higher cost of dental treatment. Addressing the problem before it starts spreading and pestering you with pain is the way to go.

A Toothache Can Signal A Potentially Life Threatening Condition or Disease

Did you know that toothache is one of the symptoms of a heart attack? To be clear, not everyone who is experiencing a toothache will be or is having a heart attack. Toothache is just one symptom that should not be ignored.

If you have a history of heart trouble and there is pain in your mouth accompanied by lightheadedness and sweating, there may be a chance that you are experiencing a heart attack. Seek medical attention immediately and make sure to also address the dental concern.