Toothaches
How to Deal with Tooth Pain
Nearly everyone has experienced the pain and frustration of a toothache. Tooth pain can be extremely distracting, but how do we know when a toothache is serious enough to warrant a trip to the dentist? And how do we cope with the pain until we get to a dentist? Below is information we hope you’ll find helpful if you or a loved one find yourself with tooth pain.
When to see a dentist
You should see a dentist if:
- Pain lasts more than two days or becomes intolerable
- You cannot sleep due to tooth pain
- You have a fever, ear ache or swelling of the jaw
- If you have periodic tooth pain in the same area
Toothaches don’t fix themselves. Even if you experience relief after a few days, symptoms could return if the underlying issue is not resolved. The longer a tooth goes untreated, the fewer options you will have to fix or save the tooth. Delaying treatment can also lead to more complicated and often more expensive treatments, so if financial concerns are keeping you from the dentist, you should keep that in mind.
Tooth Pain Relief
How to stop a toothache
Tooth pain can range from dull to intense, and be ever-present or flare up when chewing or randomly throughout the day. Because toothaches are caused by many different things, there is no guaranteed way to make the pain subside. Below are a list of things that may help ease your discomfort.
- Swish with mouthwash or warm salt water
- Carefully brush and floss
- Take an NSAID
- Apply ice
- Use numbing agents such as Orajel
- Avoid acidic, cold, and hard foods
- See a dentist
Toothache Causes
To find out what’s causing your toothache, schedule an exam with a dentist. Once the exam has been completed, they will present a treatment plan with options for resolving your toothache, or a referral to a specialist. The doctor should also be able to provide cost estimates, and more information such as the pros and cons for each treatment option.
- Food stuck in your gums
- Mouth or Jaw Injury
- Sinus Infection
- Tooth Decay
- Gum Disease
- Tooth Infection
- TMJ Disorder
- Grinding Teeth
- Impacted Wisdom Tooth
Frequently Asked Questions
Unless your mouth pain is trauma related, then probably not. Most ERs and urgent cares do not have a dentist on staff, or on call. Therefore the most they will be able to do is prescribe antibiotics. If you have been suffering from a toothache with swelling for a long period of time, these antibiotics could be essential. However in most cases, you will be charged for the visit, and referred to a dentist.
Because toothaches can be caused by many different things, the only way to find out the cost is to have a dental exam performed. The exam will help diagnose the cause of the toothache, and help the doctor create a treatment plan to address the issue(s) they have discovered.
Going to the dentist can be a nerve racking experience, but if you’re in pain the quickest way to relief is to see a dentist. Most patients find the procedures to relieve a toothache are usually less painful than the toothache, and can offer lasting relief.
As seen in the image above, teeth have lots of nerves that connect directly to the brain’s pain center.
Toothaches can make getting a good night’s sleep nearly impossible, and lack of sleep can lead to other health issues. If you’ve tried the pain relief methods above, and you’re still losing sleep due to a toothache, you need to should consult a dentist right away.
There is some limited scientific research to support the effectiveness of traditional toothache remedies such as peppermint, clove, and garlic. However, we would strongly recommend taking the steps above to help with any discomfort.