If you have a toothache, you may wonder if you can ignore it until it disappears. You can try to ignore it, but should you? It may go away over time, but does that mean the problem has gone away with the pain? That’s not necessarily always the case.
It’s usually a good idea to have a dentist check out a toothache, no matter how minor it may feel. It could be a bigger problem than you think, and waiting on treatment could mean more uncomfortable, more expensive treatment down the line. Dental problems tend to get worse rather than go away on their own.
Especially if you have persistent, sharp, severe, or throbbing pain, or if your toothache lasts longer than a day or two, you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
Until you get the care you need and depending on your toothache cause, some home-care tips can relieve pain. If you have pain around the tooth and swelling in the gums, check to see if you have something caught between your teeth. We often find that toothache relief comes from removing a bit of food from between the teeth, such as a popcorn kernel. You might remove the foreign object if you floss around your tooth and under the gums.
It’s important to note that pain and gum swelling might also indicate an infection. You should always see a dentist to treat a dental infection because it may spread. Other infection symptoms may include gum bleeding, fever, chills, and pain in the general area of the mouth.
Another home remedy method that can help relieve pain and reduce infection is to rinse with warm salt water or antiseptic wash. Rinsing can help remove any debris trapped between the teeth and gums. Just rinse for about 30 seconds before spitting.
Next, you can try taking a pain-reliever and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Make sure you follow doctor recommendations and the usage directions included with the medicine.
Applying a hot and cold compress on the cheek outside the painful area can temporarily numb the pain. Start with a warm, moist towel or something similar, and follow it with a cold compress. Repeat this process until the pain recedes.
Sometimes a toothache will occur at the worst possible time, including after hours. This is why we offer emergency dental services to provide the treatment you need when you need it most.
If you have a toothache at night, you might try propping your head up on a few pillows to relieve the pain and help you sleep. This prevents the blood from moving toward the head when you lie down, increasing pain and sensitivity in the toothache area.
Even if you relieve the pain at home, we’d still recommend an evaluation to ensure there’s nothing to be concerned about. There are toothache causes that require professional help.
Tooth decay, for example, usually requires at least a filling or two and sometimes more extensive root canal therapy. If your tooth is unhealthy, weakened, or broken, we recommend various options. A crown can shelter an unhealthy tooth with an attractive prosthetic. If the tooth is beyond help, we may recommend extraction followed by dentures, dental implants, or a dental bridge.
Certain stages of gum disease, such as periodontitis, cannot be cured but can only be slowed down. A dentist must treat periodontitis.
Toothache Relief in Petaluma, California
Maintaining your regular, bi-yearly checkups is probably the best way to prevent a toothache. During your examinations, Dr. Chan can treat any existing dental problems before they worsen and ensure no potential dental issues will cause problems down the line. Reach out to us today to set an appointment for your first checkup at our office in Petaluma, CA.
Let Von Chan, D.D.S determine what’s causing your toothache and provide treatment recommendations. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. We can offer the safest, most effective, and fastest toothache relief.