Originally posted on 06/18/2020
Pain is no fun. No matter how old you are or where your pain is, hurting is no good. If you have ever had a toothache, you know what we are talking about.
Whether it is from an injury, an infection, gum disease, or another reason, tooth pain can go from 0 to insane quickly. Here are a few options for you when you have a toothache.
What Causes Toothaches?
You get pain in your mouth for a variety of reasons. Toothaches tend to come from something happening in your teeth or gums.
- An Injury to Your Jaw - Whether you suffered a fall, collision, or any other knock on your jaw, your tooth may experience pain.
- Sinus Infection - Diseases in your sinuses can build up pressure that you can feel in your mouth and teeth.
- Infected Tooth - Once a cut or sore near your tooth turns into a more serious infection, the area will become inflamed and painful.
- Food Stuck Between Your Teeth - Food stuck in your teeth can be painful until removed by brushing or a dentist.
- Wisdom Teeth Crowning - When your wisdom teeth begin to come through your gums, you can have a ton of pain. This pain gets worse if you don't have much room in your mouth and the new teeth are begin pressing against the surrounding teeth.
- Gum Disease - Also known as Gingivitis or periodontal disease, gum disease can cause immediate pain and eventual tooth decay.
- Teeth Grinding - Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is a serious condition that can cause pain in your jaw and teeth while wearing away the enamel on your teeth.
What You Can Do About Toothache Pain
Here are some ways that you can stop or at least ease off your pain:
- Take Some Over-the-Counter Medication - Meds such as Ibuprofen (or related Advil and Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin are all good at relieving pain you may have from a toothache. Numbing gels can help, but make sure not to use products with benzocaine for young children.
- Elevate Your Head - Elevation helps to support an injured area. Keeping your head up will stop your blood from rushing to and staying in your head. The more blood pools in an area of your body, the more intense the pain will be.
- Watch What you Eat - There are some foods that can cause you some problems. Some of these foods include acidic, cold, or hard foods can be tough on your teeth if you eat them late in the day.
- Use Mouthwash - Mouthwash, especially mouthwash with alcohol, can disinfect your teeth and mouth and even numb it a bit.
- Ice the Painful Area - Ice is a great tool in dampening pain and reducing inflammation. Give it a try and alternate between having an ice pack on for 10-20 minutes, then keeping it off for that amount of time.
- Get a Mouthguard - A mouthguard is a great solution to teeth grinding.
- Have a Tooth (or Teeth) Extraction (or Extracted) - There may not be enough room for your wisdom teeth. Having a diseased tooth or troublesome wisdom teeth can help lesson pain you have.
When is it Time to See the Dentist?
Keep a close watch on the toothache. If your pain goes away, congratulations! Make an appointment if you experience the following:
- Severe pain
- A toothache that lasts more than two days
- You get a fever, headache, or more pain when you open your mouth
- Breathing or swallowing becomes difficult
Find a Sympathetic Dentist Who Can Stop Your Tooth Pain Today
If you have unexplained pain in your mouth or a toothache, consider Southfield Family Dental. Our caring staff will help you get into an emergency appointment and walk you through the steps of caring for your injured tooth. Give our team a call today.
