Tooth pain makes you feel miserable. You might have a dull ache that never goes away or intense sharp pain that comes and goes. No matter what kind of pain you have, you need to see a dentist right away, especially if you have a tooth infection. Here's a look at some different types of tooth pain and how they might be treated.

1. Pain With Swelling Due To An Abscess

An abscessed tooth can be very painful. An abscessed tooth is often accompanied by swelling and pain deep in your gums. The swelling is due to an infection, and that's one reason to see a dentist right away when you have this type of tooth pain.

Infection from a tooth can spread through your bloodstream to your face and neck, so even if you need to see an emergency dentist over the weekend, it's a good idea to get quick treatment for a toothache that's accompanied by jaw swelling. The dentist might give you antibiotics to clear up the infection before working on your tooth.

When your tooth is treated, the dentist may need to do a root canal to clean out the infection and then put a crown on your tooth if the cavity is so large the hole won't hold a filling.

2. Pain Due To A Cavity

If you have a cavity without an infection, the pain might come and go. You might feel a sharp pain when you chew with the tooth or when your drink or eat something hot or cold. While it might be easy to put up with pain due to a cavity, it's better to get quick treatment.

Having a cavity filled seals the tooth so you no longer feel pain. If you wait too long to be treated, the cavity might get so large you need a crown instead of a filling, and that adds to the expense of treating your tooth.

3. Tooth Pain Due To Sensitivity

Pain from tooth sensitivity may not be an emergency, but you'll still want to let your dentist know about the problem. Sensitivity is a sign that something is wrong with your teeth. The problem could be a cavity, gum disease, worn enamel, or a chipped tooth.

The treatment for sensitive teeth might be to use a special type of toothpaste that reduces sensitivity, fluoride treatments, a gum graft, or bonding to cover the painful teeth.

No matter what causes your pain or whether it's mild or extreme, don't ignore it. Pain is a sign of a problem that needs to be dealt with. Getting early treatment means you'll suffer less, and it could also mean your treatment will cost less if you halt damage to your tooth.