It may seem like there isn’t much to know about toothaches. However, knowing their many causes and the potential severity of those causes can guide you in making informed decisions that can benefit your oral health. Thus, to make sure that you are knowledgeable, your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Amanda Foust, has put together the following toothache quiz. Test your knowledge and check your answers below.
The Quiz
- True or False: Toothaches are nothing to worry about.
- True or False: Frequent toothaches may indicate a teeth grinding habit.
- True or False: A good first step to dealing with any toothache is to rinse your mouth and floss in the area of the pain.
The Answer Key
- False. In some cases, toothaches may indeed be nothing to worry about. However, when you consider the fact that pain is one of the ways that the body communicates that something has gone wrong, it is best not to ignore a toothache. In certain situations, a toothache may be an indicator of a serious oral health problem. This is more likely if the toothache tends to stick around.
- True. If your teeth ache often, especially after you wake in the morning, the cause behind your frequent toothaches could be bruxism (teeth grinding). Bruxism strains teeth on a nightly basis, so if you suspect that you have a teeth grinding habit, don’t wait to seek dental assistance.
- True. Oftentimes, a toothache may stem from an irritant that is caught in between teeth. Simply by removing the irritant, you can relieve the toothache, so a great first step for dealing with any toothache is to rinse your mouth and floss. Doing so can remove the irritant or rule one out as the cause of your toothache.
Schedule a Visit with Your Ankeny IA Dentist
Do you have a toothache that just won’t seem to go away? By ignoring the pain, you could be ignoring your body’s message that not all is right with your oral health. For dental assistance, contact your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Foust, today to schedule an appointment or a consultation by calling (515) 965-0230. Also, visit our website to print patient forms, learn about our team, and view our other services. We offer general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry and look forward to treating patients from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, Alleman, and surrounding cities.
