Must Know Facts About Dental Toothaches
A toothache is often a sign of some underlying issue that needs to be addressed by an oral care professional. If you experience any pain or discomfort in your teeth, it’s best to consult with a dentist as soon as possible so they can identify and address the problem before it worsens into something worse.
Why do I have tooth pain?
If you ever experience tooth pain, even if it’s minor and seemingly random, your first action should be to consult a dentist as the problem could worsen without intervention. Toothache can often result from an underlying cavity that needs treatment or can simply indicate sensitivity in one of your teeth; however some problems are more serious than others so don’t let any discomfort go untreated for too long!
What is a toothache?
A toothache is often a sign of some underlying issue that needs to be addressed by an oral care professional. If you experience any pain or discomfort in your teeth, it’s best to consult with a dentist as soon as possible so they can identify and address the problem before it worsens into something worse.
Why is my toothache so painful?
Dentists are well aware of the pain that can come from teeth pulp. It contains sensitive nerves, tissues and blood vessels which makes it one of your most vulnerable areas inside your mouth. Infection or irritation to these nerves can cause severe discomfort – so get them treated as soon as you feel an issue coming on!
What are possible causes of toothache?
Toothaches can be caused by:
- Tooth decay
- Abscessed tooth (inside the tooth, there is a bacteria that causes an infection).
- A damaged filling.
- Tooth fracture (broken tooth).
- Grinding or clenching your teeth.
- Infected gums.
- Teeth coming out of the gums (eruption).
What are symptoms of toothache?
- Swelling around the tooth.
- Fever or headache.
- Tooth pain can be sharp, throbbing or constant.
- Drainage from the infected tooth.
- A bad odor (halitosis) from the mouth.
- Sometimes, the tooth only aches when pressure is applied to the tooth (like chewing).
If you’re experiencing trouble breathing and swallowing, call a dental professional right away!
Can my toothache go away on its own?
I’m sure you’ve had a toothache at some point in your life. Oftentimes, the pain comes from an outside source – maybe biting on something too hard or brushing against one of those pesky canker sores that pop up when we least expect them to! Luckily for most people, there are ways around this without having to spend money and time visiting the dentist each time it happens. For minor irritations like redness inside our gumline (not what’s happening inside your teeth), these typically resolve themselves within just a few days with no intervention necessary other than avoiding chewing food near where they’re located as well as eating foods that don’t aggravate any existing sensitivities if possible. That being said, be careful not to overlook severe and recurring tooth pain – visit Dean Street Dental dentist clinic today to get your pain fixed.
How do I treat a toothache at home?
To get a temporary relief of a toothache, you can do the following:
- Rinse with warm saltwater. To remove debris and reduce inflammation. Stir ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of water until dissolved, then use it to rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. A 3% solution will reduce inflammation and pain, but don’t swallow it! Dilute the mixture of water to make a 30-50 ml bottle. Mix until clear then follow up by rinsing thoroughly for about 10 minutes (3x).
- Cold Therapy. The best way to reduce swelling and decrease pain for an injury is by using a cold compress. To do this, apply ice wrapped in a towel on the injured area for 20-minute periods every few hours.
- Pain Medications. Over-the counter pain medications can reduce your inflammation and the accompanying pains. NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), naproxen (Aleve®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be helpful in relieving these symptoms. However, it is important to consider what medication you take based on any other conditions that could prevent this drug from being effective for you; make sure not to give a child under 16 years of age aspirin because its effects are more severe than Tylenol’s effect would be – consult with your dentist if needed before taking anything new!
Natural or herbal treatments for toothaches.
- Clove oil. Clove oil is a natural antiseptic that numbs pain and reduces inflammation. If you have an injury, add just one drop of clove to some water for relief from the ache in your muscles or teeth. It also works as a mouthwash!
- Vanilla extract. Use this all natural and temporary remedy for your toothache. The alcohol in vanilla extract numbs pain temporarily, as well as aiding the area to heal with its antioxidants! Apply it using a cotton ball or fingertips by putting some on the painful tooth several times per day to soothe away that discomfort while also helping you feel better soon!
- Garlic. Crush a garlic clove and mix it with water to make a paste. Apply this mixture to the affected area for relief of pain and decrease in bacteria!
- Peppermint tea. To get relief from tooth pain, one should apply a cooled-down peppermint tea bag to the painful area. Hold it there until you feel some soothing effects and then discard any leftover contents of the bag before eating or drinking anything again.
What happens when I go to the dentist to get my toothache fixed?
For toothaches that are not getting better, call your dental professional. The pain will only get worse and you want to avoid the risks associated with waiting too long for treatment if it becomes necessary.
Temporary remedies may be enough in small cases of oral discomfort but as soon as one realizes they need more than home-made treatments, their dentist should know about this quickly before things deteriorate any further.
At the dental clinic your dentist and/or dental hygienist will review your medical history and you’ll be asked questions like:
- Where is the pain located? Around which tooth (teeth)?
- When did the toothache start?
- How severe is your toothache? Can you chew normally?
- What makes the toothache pain worse and what gives you relief?
The dental team will also do a physical exam. They’ll check your mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, tongue and throat to make sure there’s nothing hiding in the nooks of your face that could be causing toothache! You might get an X-ray taken so they can see what is going on inside you’re mouth. Visit this page next.
How will the dentist treat my toothache?
Depending on the cause of your toothache, the treatment prescribed by the dental professional will vary.
- If a cavity is causing tooth pain, your dentist will take care of the issue by either filling the hole or removing it entirely.
- A root canal is a procedure to remove and replace infected pulp with sealing material, which may be needed if the cause of toothache is an infection in the nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner space of your teeth can lead to this type of infection.
- The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if there is fever or swelling of the jaw, indicating that a piece of food may have become lodged between teeth and gums. The infection can be treated by removing any lingering pieces with professional dental cleaning methods such as deep cleanings or gum therapy.
How can I prevent a toothache?
Since most toothaches are the result of dental decay, good oral hygiene practices can prevent painful episodes from occurring.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush regularly (at least twice per day).
- Floss at least once per day.
- Visit your dentist at Dean Street Dental twice a year for professional teeth cleaning.
- Also, eat foods that have low sugar and ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride applications.
When should I see a dentist for a toothache?
See your dentist right away if:
- Your toothache lasts longer than one or two days.
- Your pain from the toothache is severe.
- You have pain when you open your mouth wide.
- You have a fever or earache.
- You experience swelling in the mouth or face.
A dental infection can be incredibly dangerous if not treated correctly due to the possibility of spreading and damaging other parts of your body. The treatment for a toothache should include antibiotics, painkillers, and proper cleaning techniques so that it doesn’t get worse!
A dental infection is already hard enough on its own without having to worry about how bad it could spread or damage more areas in your body with improper diagnosis or treatments. It’s important you go see an oral health professional immediately when experiencing symptoms like bleeding gums or mouth sores because they have experience dealing with these types of infections which will result in better outcomes overall.
Toothaches can be extremely uncomfortable but the pain is temporary and will go away with a visit to your dentist. Prevent infections in your mouth from spreading by visiting us as soon as you notice any signs of an infection!
What happens if my toothache is left untreated?
Toothaches are often not fatal, but they can lead to a more serious illness if left untreated. Toothache sufferers should contact their dentist as soon as possible before an infection spreads and becomes something worse or life-threatening.
If you have a toothache, it might not be the end of your life. But if left untreated for an infection in any other part of your body could spread and make you seriously ill or even cause death. So don’t wait – contact us right away! Learn how here.