What To Do When You Have Tooth Pain

A constant stabbing or throbbing pain involving the teeth or gums can range from a mild irritation to severe discomfort. Your initial reaction may be to head to the pharmacy for a topical numbing agent, but it’s important to pay attention to the signals that your body is sending. Tooth pain that lasts more than a couple of days often indicates that there is an infection or decay that must be handled by an oral care professional.

Common Causes of Tooth Pain

• Decay
• Damage or Removal of a Filling
• Trauma
• Night Grinding or Clenching
• Sinus or Ear Infection

Considering the range of issues that could create tooth pain, it is important to get a professional diagnosis if the irritation persists. Watch out for side effects like extreme swelling or any discharge that could indicate an abscess. Tooth pain is also a common symptoms of gum disease that can be reversed if caught and treated in the early stages.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Care
Tooth pain does not work on a schedule, and issues can arise at any time of the day or night. You do need to pay attention to complications that require immediate attention if you decide to wait until the next business day to set an appointment. Our dentist Newington advises an emergency evaluation if you begin to experience a high fever along with the tooth pain. If you are experiencing difficulty swallowing or breathing, do not hesitate to see the dentist immediately. Problems can worsen if you ignore issues like severe swelling around the tooth that may be accompanied by abnormal discharge. Oral health must be a priority because infections can become severe and possibly spread if a patient does not receive treatment.

Relieving Symptoms At Home
If you do not feel that emergency care from our Newington dentist is necessary, you can alleviate the symptoms temporarily while you wait for an appointment. Oral numbing cream or gel is a very common remedy for tooth or gum pain, or apply a cotton ball soaked in clove oil in the sore area. A warm salt water rinse is another safe way to calm inflammation, and most patients accompany this technique with a mild over-the-counter pain reliever. It might be possible to gently floss the area to remove trapped food if you noticed the onset of pain immediately after eating. Choosing the most appropriate method of pain relief depends on your personal preference and the availability of specific products.

Professional Treatments for Tooth Pain
The type of treatment that you received for tooth pain is determined by the direct cause of the problem. Your oral care professional is going to ask questions and perform a physical examination to understand more about the cause of pain.

• Cavities are thoroughly cleared of decay before the dentist applies a filling to alleviate sensitivity and pain. A full tooth extraction may be recommended if there is severe decay or an infection is present in the pulp. If a tooth is cracked or broken, the dentist will attempt to repair and save the tooth.

• Infections in the tooth pulp or gums can be cleared with antibiotics and a proper clearing of any bacteria. Our Newington dentist may need to perform a root canal to save a tooth that has been infected in the nerve area. Removal is typically the last resort if a prolonged or severe infection cannot be properly treated otherwise.

• TMJ disorders caused by grinding the teeth at night or clenching the jaw may require wearing a protective guard or undergoing surgery.

Preventing Tooth Pain
Good oral hygiene and regular checkups with the dentist Newington are the best ways to reduce the risk of developing tooth pain. It is important to brush two times each day and floss at least once to clear harmful bacteria from the mouth. If you have gum disease, or are prone to rapid decay, the dentist can provide solutions that will protect your teeth between visits.