When your tooth hurts, it can either be sharp enough to make you wince in pain or dull and minor enough to seem like nothing urgent, depending on what causes it. Either way, the preferable response when a toothache strikes is to call your dentist and schedule a dental examination to determine why. Though you may be tempted to let a minor toothache be, there are several reasons why you should not ignore a toothache, regardless of how minor it may seem.

The Pain Won’t Let You Ignore It

If you’ve ever suffered a severe toothache, then you might already know that the discomfort is difficult to ignore. The good news is that the pain may be more likely to prompt you to visit the dentist’s office. The bad news, though, is that if the pain is severe, then the reason behind the toothache probably is, as well, and seeking treatment immediately may be necessary to save your tooth.

It Won’t Go Away On Its Own

If your toothache is not severe, then you may be tempted to ignore it and hope that it will resolve itself. Unfortunately, that is usually not the case. Whether your tooth is cracked or has a cavity, or the gum tissue around it is receding, dental damage and infections grow worse when left untreated. If you ignore your minor toothache, it can soon blossom into serious pain, and a serious dental health condition.

It Typically Means Trouble

No matter how serious or minor your toothache is, the most important reason to not ignore it is because toothaches typically mean trouble. Damage to a tooth’s structure, a tooth infection, or any of a number of other reasons may not only make your tooth hurt, but also result in continuingly worse dental damage.