If you’ve been experiencing a toothache and gone to your dentist, they can conduct a variety of tests in order to determine the source of your pain. You may have had dentists tap your teeth with their fingers or an instrument. Many people don’t understand why this is; they just know that it is uncomfortable and can even be painful if your dentist taps your problem tooth. When dentists tap your teeth, they’re doing this in order to determine whether or not you need a root canal or another type of treatment in order to resolve your pain.
Here’s what you need to know about why dentists tap your teeth and what pain when your tooth is tapped can indicate.
Why Dentists Tap Your Teeth
There’s actually a name for this: a percussion test. When dentists tap your teeth, or conduct a percussion test, they simply tap on your teeth with gentle finger pressure and then an instrument. Dentists tap your teeth in order to help determine if it is painful for you when they do so, because this indicates whether or not there is a problem with your teeth.
When dentists tap your teeth, it evaluates the status of the ligament that surrounds your tooth’s root and that binds it to its socket, the periodontal ligament.
How Percussion Tests Are Performed
When dentists tap your teeth, they’ll start off with a little finger pressure, to see whether or not that hurts. If you can tolerate it, they then percuss, or tap, your teeth. They will tap lightly and then use a bit more force as they go on. If you experience pain or tenderness when they tap your tooth, this can indicate a problem, such as needing a root canal.
Your dentist will tap the teeth they suspect the most of having a problem, as well as the teeth around them, and even some others around your mouth, in order to gather as much information as possible.
Can Dentists Damage Your Teeth When They Tap Them?
If it hurts or is uncomfortable when dentists tap your teeth, it’s natural to be concerned about whether or not the percussion test itself could hurt or damage your teeth. There is no need to worry about this. You put more pressure on your teeth when you bite into things than your dentist will when they tap your teeth.
Your dentist should also keep your comfort level in mind when they tap your teeth. It’s normal for it to be a bit uncomfortable when dentists tap your teeth, but they aren’t doing this to hurt you. They’re doing this test in order to gather information and try to find problems.
The Goal Of The Percussion Test
When dentists tap your teeth, their goal is to see if any specific teeth respond differently to being tapped than others. It is common for teeth that need a root canal to respond to being tapped with pain or tenderness.
However, sometimes when dentists tap your teeth, healthy teeth can respond with tenderness and pain too. This can be because of excessive teeth grinding or clenching or as a result of gum disease.
That is why there are several tests that dentists can do in order to determine whether or not you need a root canal.
Why Do Teeth Hurt When Tapped?
As previously mentioned, it is possible for healthy teeth to hurt when tapped. However, if dentists tap your teeth and it hurts, this usually indicates a local infection or root canal. Your dentist may also use thermal and electric testing in addition to the percussion test.
Do Root Canals Hurt?
If your tooth hurts when it’s tapped and it’s because you need a root canal, it’s natural for many people to be concerned. Many people assume that root canals are extremely painful procedures that can even end in extraction. You’ll be relieved to learn that this is a myth. Root canals alleviate pain and provide you with relief.
With the advancement of modern medicine, root canals are no more painful than getting a cavity filled. There is some more pain and soreness after the fact, but these should dissipate within a few days. If they do not, you will want to contact your dentist, as lingering pain is likely a sign that something is wrong.
Do You Need Your Teeth Looked At?
Avenues Dentistry provides dental cleanings and root canal treatments in Salt Lake City. Regular dental cleanings can catch problems before they get the chance to escalate and prevent them from occurring in the first place. Contact us today to make an appointment.
