Toothaches are personally one of my favorite things to treat as a dentist. Don't get me wrong, I empathize with the patient that lurches into our practice in Turlock, clutching his or her jaw, experiencing some of the worst pain they've ever been through. I don't wish that pain on anyone, but my wife and I spent quite a few years training and studying to be allowed the opportunity to relieve that person's pain. This scenario is one of the most fulfilling parts of the dental profession.
This post, however, is for those of you who are lucky (and diligent) enough to have never experienced a toothache. This is the information you should know before it happens to prevent it, know what it is, and know what to do if it does occur.
Stop a Toothache Before It Ever Happens
There are three very simple steps to follow to ensure that you'll almost never experience a toothache:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Visit your dentist regularly for exams and professional teeth cleanings
That's it. Hardly any magic, huh? Make an oral hygiene routine and stick to it. Brushing your teeth after meals and snacks limits tooth decay, flossing keeps your teeth clean and gums healthy, and visiting your dentist regularly allows us to catch most of the issues that aren't prevented with good oral hygiene.
What Causes a Toothache and What Do They Feel Like?
If you have a toothache, the cause is most likely tooth decay or an advanced stage of gum disease. You'll need to visit your dentist for a full examination to determine if the cause of your toothache is:
- Infection
- Tooth injury
- Abnormal bite
- Impacted or erupting tooth
- Periodontal disease (gum disease)
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
When you have a toothache, you'll probably experience one or more of these commonly reported symptoms:
- Throbbing tooth pain
- Pain when pressure is applied to a tooth
- Swelling around a tooth
- Fever
- Headaches
- Icky taste in your mouth
What Do I Do if I Have a Toothache?
Make a dental appointment right away, or an emergency dental appointment if your dentist offers it. The longer you delay, the worse your condition will become. Unfortunately, your teeth cannot heal themselves like many other systems within your body. If you have an infection or an abscess causing your toothache, it will only get worse and threaten your health more the longer you delay treatment.
What If I Have a Toothache and I Can't Get to the Dentist Right Away?
If there's just no way you can get to the dentist, try these remedies to alleviate your pain:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
- You can take an over-the-counter pain medication
- Use floss to gently remove any debris from between your teeth
- You can find over-the-counter topical gels that contain benzocaine for toothaches at your local drugstore
- If the area around your tooth is swollen, apply an ice pack to relieve pain and reduce swelling
It's a popular home remedy to apply an aspirin to the tooth or gums surrounding the toothache. NEVER do this! Aspirin contains acid, which is the last thing you want near tooth decay. It can also cause harsh chemical burns on soft tissues if pressed against the gums or cheeks.
Thanks for Reading!
We sincerely appreciate you stopping by and reading our blog post. On behalf of our dental practice in Turlock, we hope you never experience a toothache, but this information should help you if you do. If you enjoy reading our dental tips, news, and facts, please like us our page on Facebook. We also encourage you to share our post if there's someone in your life this information could help. Help us get the word out about great oral health!
If you have questions, please contact us or schedule an appointment on our website.