Did you wake up this morning with pain radiating to your mouth? It sounds like you have a toothache. Although you may often believe that the pain can only affect a single tooth, this may not always be the case. New research shows that it can be difficult to tell where the discomfort is originating. In fact, it may feel like multiple teeth are causing you grief. To help pinpoint the problem, it is best to call your emergency dentist in Williamstown right away.
How Can I Tell Which Tooth Hurts?
Generally, your brain does a fairly good job at allowing you to distinguish the origins of pain, such as when you stub your toe. When it comes to your teeth, you can often determine which tooth is giving you a problem; however, this may not always be the case.
A recent study conducted at the University of Erlanger-Nuremberg in Germany found that some pain can be difficult to pinpoint. During their study, they used short electrical pulses to create discomfort on either the top or lower left canine of the participants. When the pulses were sent individually, they were able to feel where the pain sensations originated.
The pain signal from the teeth to the brain was sent by one of two distinct branches of the trigeminal nerve. The brain behaved similarly when the pulses were sent from either the top or bottom tooth. Once they sent the signals at the same time, the results of the study took an unexpected turn.
When the pulses were activated at the same time, the participants were not able to localize where their pain was originating. They could not tell if their top or bottom tooth was the cause of their discomfort. With this information, it could help your dentist in Williamstown create more effective treatment plans.
How Can My Dentist Treat My Toothache?
If your brain is unable to determine which tooth is giving you grief, it alerts your dentist to look at the individual pathways from the tooth to the brain. As a result, they can create more accurate treatment plans to stop acute pain—whether due to tooth decay, an infection, or another issue.
Stop Your Pain Today
If you develop a sudden toothache, do not ignore it. It is a sign that you have an underlying problem that needs immediate care from your emergency dentist. Even if you are not able to tell where your pain is originating, your dentist will localize the issue to restore your oral health to stop your discomfort.
About Dr. Wael M. Kassem
Since 2007, Dr. Wael M. Kassem has provided comprehensive dental care to the community. To give his patients with the highest standard of care, he remains well-versed in the latest technologies and research to help you achieve optimal oral health and well-being. If you have developed pain in your mouth that does not appear to have a cause, he will get to the root of the problem. Contact iSmile Dental Arts today to get the relief you need.
