Few oral health woes are more common – or more unpleasant – than the common toothache. If you’ve dealt with a serious toothache in the past you know how very painful they can be. If you haven’t, you want to keep it that way! It’s something Premier Dental Care Group sees quite a bit at our Pasadena dental office and, while treatment can bring quick relief, it’s never a fun experience!
How Do I Know if a Severe Toothache is Coming On?
With a classic toothache, the pain is long-lasting and often severe. It may also be accompanied by other worrisome signs such as a fever, headaches, and an unpleasant taste coming from a tooth. Often, the pain will worsen if the tooth gets touched or pressure is applied. Another red flag is that pain may increase when patients open their mouths wide; there could also be an earache. In these cases, you will want to contact a dentist right away and see if you can get treated on an emergency basis.
If the pain is less severe, or if you are experiencing sensitivity to cold or sweetness, it could be for several reasons. You still want to contact your dentist but it is likely not as urgent.
What Should I Do if I’ve Got a Very Painful Toothache?
That’s a simple one: call your dentist right away! In many cases, an appointment can be set up quickly and your intense pain will be shortlived. Even if the pain is milder and you don’t feel like it’s an emergency, you want it to be looked at soon especially if you haven’t seen your dentist lately.
What If There’s a Wait to See the Dentist?
Whether the pain is severe or relatively mild, patients can turn to over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Advil, etc.). Traditional remedies can also help a great deal. Clove oil, peppermint tea bags, vanilla extract, and even crushed garlic can kill germs and reduce pain. Ask your dentist about any other pain-relief options.
What Causes Severe Toothaches?
The most common causes include abscesses and severe tooth decay or chipping/breaking of teeth possibly related to an accident or other trauma.
How are Toothaches Usually Treated?
The treatment will depend on the sources of the problem and how far the infection has spread. Superficial abscesses can be drained and antibiotics used to kill an infection. Very often, however, the tooth is threatened.
In that case, the approach is often a root canal to remove the infected parts of the tooth. The procedure preserves the root of the tooth so that a crown can be placed over it. Sometimes, however, the entire tooth will have to be removed and a dental implant or bridgework will eventually be needed to replace the tooth.
How Can Toothaches Be Prevented?
This may sound familiar! Brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Also, of course, see your dentist twice a year for cleaning and checkups. And, pretty obviously, avoid accidents and dangerous situations where trauma is likely. People in high-intensity contact sports should always wear mouthguards.
What’s the Best Place for a Dentist in Pasadena? Try Premier Care Dental Group
Whether you’ve got a nasty toothache, think one might be coming soon, or – best of all, if your teeth seem fine but you’d like to avoid toothaches and other painful issues, we are the leading full-service office for an outstanding dentist in Pasadena. Call us at the number on your screen and visit our contact page.