A toothache is an extremely painful annoyance. There are several reasons for toothache, including cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, tooth fracture, damaged filling, etc. However, some remedies can help you find relief from your toothache.
In this article, learn more about toothache and how a dentist treats it to eliminate pain.
Common Causes of Tooth Pain
The factors that commonly cause toothaches and pain are:
Tooth Decay
It is one of the most common causes of toothaches. Bacteria “eat” through a tooth’s hard enamel outer layer, causing pain and sensitivity. Remember, the sooner you treat a cavity, the less damage it will do to your tooth.
Gum Disease
When the gums become infected, bacteria can build up around the roots of the teeth, leading to toothache and increased sensitivity. If you have gum disease, treating the infection is important to prevent it from causing further damage.
Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism)
Most people grind or clench their teeth without even realizing it, often during sleep. If you think you grind your teeth, get a mouth guard to wear while you sleep; this will help protect your teeth from damage and toothache.
Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth are another common cause of toothaches. When the dentin (the tissue underneath the enamel and cementum) is exposed, it can cause pain and sensitivity. This sensitivity can be caused by cavities, worn fillings, cracked teeth, or receding gums.
Tooth Pulp Inflammation (Pulpitis)
When tooth decay extends deep into the tooth pulp, it can cause the pulp to become inflamed and irritated, and this can cause toothache.
Fractured Teeth
A crack or split sometimes happens by biting on something hard, falling, and getting hit in the jaw or face. If you have a fractured tooth, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible to determine the extent of the damage and find out what needs to be done to fix it.
Dental Abscesses
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of a tooth because of an infection or bacteria entering the tooth through a crack or cavity. If you have a dental abscess, it is necessary to drain the pus and prevent the infection from spreading.
Impacted Teeth
The tooth is said to be impacted when it does not erupt (grow) into the mouth. It can happen if there is not enough room in the mouth for the tooth to grow, if another tooth blocks the tooth, or if the gum tissue around the tooth has grown over it. Impacted teeth cause toothache and damage to the surrounding teeth.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the third molars (back most teeth) that usually erupt (grow) in the late teens or early twenties. Usually, there is insufficient space in the mouth for wisdom teeth to grow properly and can become impacted (stuck).
How Do You Treat a Toothache?
You can use any of the following remedies to get temporary relief from a toothache:
Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Saltwater
If you have a toothache, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Saltwater can help to loosen any debris caught between your teeth, since it acts as a disinfectant, and reduces inflammation. To make a saltwater rinse, stir a ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, then swish it in your mouth for one to two minutes, and spit it out.
Rinse Your Mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide
Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide is another effective way to treat toothache. Hydrogen peroxide can help to reduce inflammation and pain. To use this method, dilute the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of water, swish the solution in your mouth for 30 seconds or a minute, and spit it out. It is important to note that you should not swallow the hydrogen peroxide solution.
Apply a Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to the affected area is another common way to treat toothache. Cold temperatures can help to reduce swelling and pain. To use this method, hold a cold compress of ice wrapped in a towel to the painful area for 20-minute periods. Repeat this every few hours as required.
Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medications
Taking over-the-counter pain medications is another option you may want to consider. These medications can help to reduce pain and inflammation. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin are often effective for treating toothaches. These medications are easily available at a grocery store or your local pharmacy.
Visit a Dentist
Sometimes, at-home remedies aren’t enough to stop a toothache. When unsure what to do for tooth pain, it’s time to visit a professional dentist. Your dentist can determine the cause of your pain and provide more specific treatment.
So, if you have a severe toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days, a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide, see your dentist as soon as possible!
5 Steps To Prevent Toothaches
To prevent Toothaches you need to follow good oral hygiene practices. Good oral hygiene practices consist of –
- Brushing regularly with a fluoride-containing toothpaste
- Flossing once daily
- Rinsing once or twice a day with an antiseptic mouthwash
- Seeing your dentist twice a year for professional cleaning
- Eat foods low in sugar
How Does a Dentist Treat a Toothache?
When you go to the dentist for a toothache, they will first ask about your medical history and then conduct a physical exam. They will want to know when the pain started, where it is located, how severe it is, what makes it worse, and what makes you feel better. The dentist will also examine your mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, tongue, throat, sinuses, ears, nose, and neck. Depending on what the dentist suspects is causing your toothache, they may take X-rays or order other tests.
Once the dentist has all the information they require about your toothache, they will develop a treatment plan. This plan may include deep cleaning, a filling, a crown, or even extraction. If you have cavities or gum disease, the dentist will remove the decay, fill the tooth, and deeply clean it. And if your tooth is severely damaged or infected, they may need to extract it.
Get Your Toothache Treated by the Experts at Dental On First Now!
No matter what is causing your toothache, it’s important to see an expert dentist as soon as possible. At Dental On First, we diagnose your toothache problem and recommend the best course of treatment so that you leave smiling.
So, if you’re in pain, don’t wait – make an appointment with our dentist today!