Our teeth can become damaged in many different ways, but one of the most common is decay or cavities. Cavities develop when bacteria are left on the teeth to eat away at the enamel, causing plaque build-up. Plaque build-up happens when the patients neglect to brush and floss their teeth twice a day. Cavities start small and will grow if teeth do not stay clean. Once dental decay has infected a tooth, it can cause toothache.
Toothaches present themselves through different types of pain, including dull and sharp, and the pain can be constant or random. It is difficult for some patients to know whether they have a toothache because the pain can come in waves.
How to Know if I Have a Toothache?
An issue within a tooth can only be diagnosed by a dental professional. Toothache pains can happen even if a tooth is perfectly healthy and uninfected. Some signs and symptoms to look out for when considering whether or not you have a toothache includes:
- Pain while chewing food on a particular side or a specific tooth
- Aching pain when clenching, grinding, or eating
- Swelling around the tooth
- Fever or severe headache
- Drainage from an infected tooth
- Swollen and tender gum tissues
- Constant foul odor from the mouth
It is essential to pay attention to your teeth and your feelings when using them. When a toothache is caught quickly, your dentist can give relief.
At-Home Toothache Relief
Whenever you have a severe toothache, we want to hear about it and examine your teeth to help you rid your tooth of the problem quickly. We understand that it may be hard to come into our office when you realize something is wrong. For this reason, here are some tips on how to provide yourself with temporary toothache relief while at home.
- Take the correct dosage of over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol and ibuprofen
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling in the face and gums
- Swish and gargle saltwater to help remove any bacteria throughout the mouth
- Avoid vigorous brushing in the painful areas
- Try to prevent chewing on the side where your toothache lives
In-Office Relief
Once you have time to make an appointment to come into our office for treatment and relief, we will examine your smile and teeth. The dentist will then diagnose any possible damage or decay that is occurring. We will then help you understand exactly what could be going on. Each patient and smile is different. Therefore, your dentist will completely personalize your treatment to you and your issue.
In-office relief treatments include:
- Removal of existing cavities and obtaining a dental filling
- If a tooth is severely damaged, your dentist may need a crown.
- Root canals are available to save the tooth when severe damage has occurred.
- When it comes to toothache relief, sometimes it is necessary to remove the tooth altogether to save surrounding teeth and tissues.
- Dental implants are available for tooth replacement.
Toothaches are not fun, and they can cause significant pain and discomfort for any patient experiencing one. Please do not worry if you are experiencing a toothache. There are many reasons it could be happening and multiple treatments to help you get your smile back to normal.
Believe you are suffering from a toothache? Please give our office a call and set up an appointment for us to examine and diagnose your smile. It is essential to see a dental professional as soon as possible to help save the tooth from further damage. If you have any questions or concerns about your smile, please contact us as quickly as possible.