Toothache
Toothaches can be one of the most uncomfortable, painful conditions that a person can experience. Whether it’s a sharp, stabbing pain, or a dull ache that just won’t go away, it’s important to know what to do to eliminate your symptoms fast.
What to Do
Over the counter treatments can only temporarily relieve discomfort associated with toothache pain. It’s important to contact your dentist immediately, so that they can accommodate you and help alleviate your symptoms as soon as possible.
Your dentist will:
- Examine your mouth to determine the underlying cause of tooth pain.
- Take necessary x-rays to identify the extent of the condition.
- Provide you with instant, temporary pain relief by anesthetizing the area.
- Prescribe necessary medications for pain control.
- Plan a course of treatment that addresses the cause of your toothache.
- Deliver same-day treatment to treat the condition, or temporary treatment until full therapy can be performed.
Potential Causes
Pain is an indicator that something isn’t right with your smile. Toothaches can be caused by a variety of factors; some of the most common causes include:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease, causing bone loss and tooth mobility
- Abscessed teeth
- Broken or leaky fillings
- Impacted teeth
- Cysts or tumors in the bone
- Sinus pressure, infection, or allergies
- Gum recession
Risks Of Not Treating
Unfortunately, toothaches rarely subside on their own. One of the few examples of a toothache that is not caused by a dental problem is one where pressure from sinus infection creates discomfort to the roots of the upper teeth. Otherwise, the cause of the pain can create a condition that only worsens or even begins to involve more teeth around it. The longer a person waits to have their dentist treat a tooth, the more severe the cause becomes. Ultimately, delayed treatment can lead to the need to have the tooth extracted, and then the need to discuss tooth replacement options. In rare circumstances, hospitalization may even be needed due to the extent of infection that has taken place.
Benefits Of Treating
When your tooth hurts, it’s your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. The sooner you have your dentist step in to eliminate the cause of the pain, the better off your oral health will be.
Quicker care for dental needs can help by offering:
- More affordable therapy
- Less invasive, preserving as much of the tooth as possible
- A variety of treatment options to choose from
- An opportunity to correct the problem before it affects other teeth
What only needs a small filling on one day can easily become a tooth that needs a root canal and crown treatment by the end of the year. Fast dental care that eliminates your toothache will also remove the risk for more serious, costly conditions later on down the road. Your dentist will provide you with a variety of options, discussing the pros and cons of each, allowing patients to make an educated decision about their choice of treatment. The earlier care is accessed, the wider the variety of treatment options there are.
Alternative Treatments
One of the most common requests that patients have when they are experiencing a toothache is to have the tooth pulled immediately. Although this may seem like an instant way to access pain relief, it can lead to a variety of other types of concerns later on. Extracting teeth that otherwise could be saved can cause problems like:
- Shifting of other teeth throughout the mouth
- “Super eruption” of the tooth that formerly bit against the one extracted
- The need to explore tooth replacement options
If infection or damage is severe, then your dentist will recommend an extraction. Proper planning for a tooth replacement option fairly soon after the removal of the tooth can prevent other teeth from shifting out of place. This will preserve adequate bone levels and tooth positioning throughout your mouth.
Treating your toothache at home may help eliminate pain or discomfort temporarily, but it will not address the underlying cause of the pain. Over the counter pain relief or warm salt-water rinses can alleviate the pain of inflammation and infection, but professional care should be sought out as soon as possible. Home remedies are best used for when you are gone such as on vacation or weekend away without access to quality dental care.
Toothaches rank as one of the most painful conditions a person can have to experience. Thankfully, your dentist can help. Set up an appointment the moment you start having tooth pain and be pain-free in no time.
