Lingering Tooth Pain? Emergency Dentist Has 5 Tips Before Checkup
Every patient is different. Some patients wait until the last minute for their dental checkup, whereas others are rushing to an emergency dentist the moment they have tooth pain. Either way, we ultimately want the best for your smile. Having tooth pain can be inconvenient at times, and using dentist near me search can leave you wondering the best place to start. That’s why we’re explaining when visiting your emergency dentist is a must, and what you can do to alleviate your tooth pain while you wait for a dental checkup. If your tooth pain keeps persisting, you’ll want an emergency dentist to take a look. It could be a sign you’re facing a larger dental issue. Because there are so many factors that can cause a toothache or tooth pain, you’ll want a professional opinion to make sure your toothache relief is permanent.
What causes your tooth pain?
It’s important to take a moment for some self-reflection and see what could be causing your tooth pain to begin with. Are you particularly good about brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis? When was your last professional teeth cleaning or dental checkup? Asking yourself these questions is a great start to figure out what might be causing your tooth pain. From there, you can assess how urgent your tooth pain is, and whether or not it’s time to visit an emergency dentist.
Some factors that can cause tooth pain are:
Gum disease
A lack of proper oral hygiene can leave your teeth and gums prone to gum disease. If you don’t keep up with regular brushing or flossing, your teeth can develop the beginning stages of gum disease, or gingivitis quite easily. More advanced gum disease will leave your teeth damaged beyond repair, so it’s important to ask about this during your next dental checkup. Gum disease can cause some pain in your teeth, especially if the pain or swelling is occurring on your gums.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition where patients grind their teeth. This happens most often at night while the patient is asleep, making it difficult to detect. There are a few reasons why you might be grinding your teeth, which can leave them feeling tender or sore over time. Your dentist will work with you in determining if your tooth pain is caused by bruxism, and the solution can be as simple as wearing a mouthguard at night.
Cavity
Cavities, or tooth decay, are one of the most common reasons behind tooth pain. If you feel sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or sugar, you’re most likely experiencing symptoms of a cavity.
Abscessed tooth
An infected or abscessed tooth can cause a lot of tooth pain. Accompanied by symptoms such as pus excretion, bad odor, or a foul taste in the mouth are all signs pointing to an abscessed tooth. You’ll want to contact an emergency dentist immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms to prevent the infection from spreading.
Chipped or cracked tooth
Accidents happen, and you might be experiencing tooth pain from a small fracture! Our teeth have strong enamel, but they can’t always handle everything thrown their way. If you have a chipped or fractured tooth, you’ll want to have a filling or bonding put in to seal the tooth off from harmful bacteria.
What are tips to relieve your tooth pain?
While you’re waiting for an appointment with an emergency dentist, there are some steps you can take at home to reduce your tooth pain. If your tooth pain increases in severity, or persists over the course of time, you’ll want to see your dentist as soon as possible.
1. Over-the-counter pain relievers.
These are acetaminophens like ibuprofen that can help reduce pain and swelling. Use the directions on the bottle for guidance on how much you should be taking. Remember that this is just temporary pain relief, and you’ll need to see your dentist to address the true cause behind your tooth pain.
2. Warm salt water.
It’s recommended by dentists as an at-home remedy that helps reduce swelling and infection. Doing this at home a few times a day can help wash away bacteria and clean out your mouth. You can even use floss to dislodge any debris or bacteria, and rinse it away with the warm salt water for an effective treatment until you can visit an emergency dentist.
3. Ice it!
Using an ice pack or a cold compress on your face can help relieve some tooth pain and reduce swelling. Be sure not to place the ice or cold compress directly onto the tooth or affected area, as this can sometimes increase pain. Gently holding it on your face can help ease some sensitive areas.
4. Garlic?
It has many healing properties, even when it comes to your teeth. While it can be a tasty addition to many dishes, it can also be used for it’s medicinal purposes. You can either chew a garlic clove whole, or form a paste by mashing it and then applying it to your tooth. It might be a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards before visiting your dentist, as you’ll be left with a full mouth of garlic breath!
5. Hydrogen peroxide.
This will work similarly to salt water by fighting off infection and bacteria lingering in your mouth. Just use a small amount mixed with water as a mouthwash solution. While it won’t cure your tooth pain, it can help infection from increasing while you wait for your dentist’s diagnosis.
How can you prevent tooth pain?
While you can’t always prevent pain from occurring, you can take good care of your oral health which can help reduce your chances for experiencing tooth pain. Tooth pain generally arises from a dental issue associated with a deviation in proper oral care. The best steps towards preventing a toothache are:
- Brushing your teeth. This may come as a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised in finding out how many patients let this slide. You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Make sure you’re using a toothbrush that doesn’t have worn or frayed bristles.
- Flossing. You should floss your teeth at least once a day. This helps remove plaque or food that have collected in between your teeth and along your gum line. This will keep your gums and teeth healthy and free of cavities and gum disease.
- Regular dental checkups. Visiting your dentist for a regular oral exam at least every 6 months will help your dentist catch issues that are developing before they cause larger problems. For example, your dentist might notice you’re showing signs of gingivitis, which will help you from developing advanced periodontitis. Or noticing signs of tooth decay and providing you with a filling before the tooth becomes infected or easily chips.
- Professional teeth cleanings. Having your teeth cleaned every 6 months or more depending on your dentist’s discretion will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your dentist does much more than a simple brushing, and work to remove areas in your mouth that have let plaque and tartar build up over time.
At Your Dental Checkup
If you’re experiencing tooth pain, don’t wait until your scheduled dental checkup to seek treatment. Tooth pain can be an indication that your tooth is at risk, and should be treated appropriately. If you need to see an emergency dentist, a dentist near me search will allow you to pull up several Castle Dental locations near you. From there, you can make an appointment either online or by calling at [phone]. An emergency dentist will be there to help you diagnose whatever’s behind your tooth pain, and work to find a cure that lasts.
