Toothache is the most common problem that brings patients to our door at Glow Dental. Also known as dental pain, toothache is something every single one of us will experience from time to time. But toothache itself is a symptom, and there are several possible causes.
Minor toothache can be a result of inflammation, or some foreign object trapped between teeth or on the gumline. At the same time, more severe pain is usually indicative of a more serious problem.
Whatever the problem, you can rely on the dental team at Glow Dental to switch off the pain and then set about solving whatever condition is causing it.
Common Causes of Toothache
The most common cause of toothache is tooth decay. The awkward thing about decay is that it can eat away at the tooth for a long time, and by the time you feel pain, the decay is at an advanced stage.
Other serious causes of toothache include:
- A cracked or damaged tooth.
- A gum infection.
- A tooth abscess or bruxism (grinding the teeth).
Different Types of Toothache
Accurately describing the type of pain you are feeling can help the dentist diagnose the cause of your toothache and arrive at a solution. You will be asked to describe the pain, so ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the pain intermittent or constant?
- Is it a short, sharp pain, or is it throbbing?
- Does anything in particular trigger the pain or exacerbate it?
- Does the pain linger or settle quickly after being triggered?
- Does anything relieve it, such as warmth or cold?
- Is the pain accompanied by other symptoms, such as bad breath or swelling?
Treating Your Toothache
Your description of your tooth pain and a thorough examination, possibly including X-rays, will allow the dentist to diagnose the cause of your toothache without delay. The treatment plan will, of course, depend on the cause, but examples include the following:
- Tooth decay – the dentist will clean away the infected material and if the decay is not too severe, a filling will solve the problem. In more serious cases, root canal therapy might be needed to remove all of the infection and return the tooth to health.
- Gum disease – a professional clean will help clear the infection.
- Cracked tooth – again, the treatment will depend on the severity. Sometimes, grinding and sculpting the tooth is sufficient. In more severe cases, the dentist might have to apply a filling or add a cap to the affected tooth.
- Bruxism can be more complicated, as it is necessary to address the immediate problem and develop a long-term solution, such as a mouth guard to wear while sleeping.
Easing the Symptoms at Home With Home Remedies For Tooth Pain
A severe toothache is a debilitating type of pain, so don’t delay in contacting Glow Dental straight away for an emergency appointment. If you are unable to attend right away for any reason, you could try rinsing the mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon to one cup). This can serve to loosen debris, and it reduces inflammation.
You can also take over-the-counter pain medication as a short-term measure. Remember, however, this is only masking the symptoms; it is not a long-term solution.
