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at Riverside Dental Group, would like to challenge you to a true-or-false quiz on toothaches.

Questions

Q1. True or false – A tooth abscess is painful and can lead to tooth loss.

Q2. True or false – Gum disease can sometimes be mistaken for a toothache.

Q3. True or false – Toothaches and sinus infections are often confused for each other.

Answers

A1. TRUE – Abscesses can potentially result when tooth decay and gum disease are ignored. Streptococcus mutans are the particular strain of oral bacteria that feed off sucrose (from sugary foods and refined carbohydrates). If you neglect your oral hygiene and ignore obvious toothache symptoms, you can end up with a pimple-like bump filled with pus. This infection is usually accompanied by sharp pain and will require antibiotics if you hope to keep the tooth. If you do not treat an abscess, tooth loss is a definite possibility.

A2. TRUE – Gum disease can sometimes cause feelings similar to a toothache. When bacteria spreads to your dental pulp, your gums can become irritated. The nerves in your mouth share close real estate, so one infection can cause pain that you feel in nearby tissues. Gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss. For this reason, your Riverside dentists recommend you come in for a cleaning and checkup every six months, without fail.

A3. TRUE – Sinuses are right above your upper molars, so it’s easy to see how feelings of discomfort in that area can be confusing. If you have what you think is a toothache in the upper molars but you also have congestion and/or sinus pressure, you may want to check in with your general physician to get your sinuses checked.

Toothache Help from Riverside Dentists

Experiencing a toothache and not sure about the cause? Your Riverside dentists can uncover the mystery at our 92506 dentist office. We offer comprehensive dental care and multi-specialty dentistry to our patients of all ages. Contact us by calling (951) 369-1001 to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Riverside and all neighboring communities in Southern California.