Find a dentist near you. Toothache occurs when the innermost layer of the tooth dental pulp becomes inflamed. The pulp is made up of sensitive nerves and blood vessels. There are a number of other conditions that can cause pain similar to toothache, even though the pulp isn't affected. These include:. Babies can also experience discomfort when their teeth start to develop. This is known as teething.
The type of treatment you have for toothache will depend on the cause of the pain, so your dentist will examine your mouth and may carry out an X-ray to try to identify the problem.
If your toothache is caused by tooth decay, your dentist will remove the decayed area and replace it with a filling. If your toothache is caused by a loose or broken filling, the filling will be taken out, any decay will be removed, and a new filling put in place. If the pulp inside your tooth is infected, you may need root canal treatment.
This procedure involves removing the infected pulp and then inserting a special type of filling to seal the tooth and prevent reinfection. Your tooth may need to be removed if the toothache can't be treated using these methods or the tooth is wedged between another tooth and your jaw impacted. The best way to avoid getting toothache and other dental problems is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. To do this, you should:. You can also try using medicated ointments available at your local drugstore.
These come in gels or creams that contain numbing ingredients to give you temporary relief. You can also try applying a pack of ice on the affected side of your face or jaw. Cold compress constricts the blood vessels in the area, numbing the pain for a while. Lastly, sleep with your head elevated. Propping your head with pillows will lessen the blood flow going to your head. This may give you enough relief until you can finally fall asleep.
Hopefully, they will get you through the night so you can call your dentist immediately in the morning. No Insurance? No Worries!
This type of pain can come on suddenly or gradually worsen from a sharp pain to throbbing pain. The throbbing sensation may seem limited to one or more teeth, or it may spread to your jaw or even the side of your face. You may also notice your gums look swollen and red.
Severe, throbbing tooth pain is a serious cause for concern. Untreated tooth decay can also wear down your enamel so badly that it exposes the pulp layer within your tooth.
While you can take an OTC medication and use hot or cold compresses to ease the pain, this type of toothache should never be ignored.
Sexton may even be able to see you the same day during business hours for emergencies. Without immediate action, a throbbing toothache can quickly turn into extreme, debilitating tooth pain. This Level 5 toothache can leave you feeling dizzy, sick, and unable to do much besides focus on how painful your tooth feels. You may even feel like you need to visit an ER for help.
Extreme or debilitating pain can be caused by a number of different problems, from trauma to the tooth because of an accident to a tooth shattering and exposing the pulp layer and nerves. If you also experience painful pressure or notice facial swelling, chances are high that you have also developed an abscess. Some studies have shown that peppermint tea has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and can help in numbing painful areas. To give it a shot, brew a cup of peppermint tea, let it cool, and then swish around in the mouth.
Add a bit of ice to cool it down faster. Alternately, press the cooled slightly warm is OK tea bag against your painful tooth. The best way to tell if this is the problem is to identify the basic source of your pain.
Is it tender gums somewhere near the space between teeth? If so, knot a piece of floss and floss through your teeth. If in doubt, check it out. Book an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible if:. Treatment is based on the cause of your toothache. Since most toothaches are the result of tooth decay, these good oral hygiene practices can prevent toothaches:. In addition to these practices, eat foods low in sugar and ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride applications.
The go-to anti-inflammatory medication for toothaches is ibuprofen Advil. Sometimes, pain is responding to a temporary stimulus, like hot, cold, or sugar, as in the case of root sensitivities or cavities.
Cracked teeth also often have acute pain that fades and recurs as the pulp inside the tooth gets irritated or infected, heals, and then gets irritated again.
The trigeminal nerve is responsible for carrying messages for almost all toothaches as well as headaches, which often means that toothaches can be directly responsible for headaches. Additionally, we often tense up other areas of the body like the jaw when our teeth hurt, which can lead to headaches.
Other problems, like sinus infections, can sometimes radiate as both toothaches and headaches.
0コメント