What Do I Do About This Toothache?

Toothache Pain?

Here at Southwest Family Dentistry, we know how unbearable the pain of a toothache can be. This is why we offer emergency dentistry-we hate pain and suffering just as much as you do, and, luckily for you, we’ve got you covered.

What Is Wrong?

Obviously, oral pain can be caused by a variety of problems. Sometimes patients are not sure what is actually causing the problem, or which tooth is actually affected. Some common causes of toothache pain are:

• Tooth decay
• Abscess or other infection
• Tooth fracture or crack
• Broken or damaged filling
• Bruxism; also known as grinding the teeth

Symptoms of these problems vary, though some will be obvious:

• Visibly broken tooth,
• Hole where a filling used to be,
• Sharp area on the tooth that was not present before (indicating breakage)
• Swollen, infected area in the gum, with or without drainage of pus (which may have a foul taste or odor).

Other causes might be more difficult to spot yourself, such as a cracked tooth, nighttime bruxism, and in some cases, decay. Pain can be a dull, constant ache, or sharp, shooting pain. It may only be present when you try to bite or chew with the affected tooth, or when the tooth comes in contact with something hot or cold. Swelling may be present, or it may not.

Is A Dental Visit Necessary?

If you are experiencing dental pain that is acute enough to be searching for answers, probably so. We offer emergency dentistry so that we can alleviate your pain as soon as possible. We know that the pain can be quite intense. Some safe ways to deal with your dental pain until you can get in to see us are:

• the use of over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• rinsing the mouth with lukewarm salty water
• ADA approved gels that help numb the pain (these usually contain benzocaine and can be applied with a swab)
• avoiding triggers to the pain such as extreme heat, cold, or sweetness
• in the case of a sharp edge on a broken tooth, dental wax from your pharmacy may be able to protect the soft tissues of you mouth until you can get to our office. We don’t recommend sleeping with foreign material in your mouth, however, due to the choking hazard.

In addition, we’d like to make sure that you know that holding an aspirin next to your tooth or gum is not a good toothache remedy, no matter where you have heard that advice. It actually has the potential to do more harm than good, by causing irritation of your gum tissue. That aspirin will do a lot more good for you if you simply swallow it. If you have any questions about other home remedies, please ask us for advice when you call to make your appointment.

If you’re experiencing toothache pain, don’t delay, call Southwest Family Dentistry at (386) 752-1220(386) 752-1220 now for your appointment! We may be able to get you in for a same-day appointment. We don’t want you to be in pain any longer than you have to be.