General dentistry commonly handles toothaches among other dental concerns. While this is a routine issue that is easily treatable, it is common for patients to have several questions about it and what they should do if they experience it. Here we will answer some commonly asked general dentistry questions and advice on the best ways to relieve your pain.
The most common questions we get include:
Toothaches can range from mild to severe and can be quite different for each person. Some people indicate that the pain comes on gradually and is hardly noticeable before developing into a sensation that is intolerable. The pain usually begins in the affected area and then spreads into the surrounding areas of your mouth, lips, or tongue. The pain may become stronger when you move your jaw, chew difficult foods such as nuts, ice cubes, or crunchy chips, touch the tooth or surrounding area with your tongue, press on it with your finger, drink very hot/cold liquids, brush your teeth too hard.
There are many reasons for toothaches. Sometimes it can be difficult to narrow down the reason for a toothache, but generally, a dentist can help with this. In some instances, a toothache may occur due to an injury. Usually, this is the easier reason to identify simply because people almost always remember when they were injured.
Tooth pain can also be caused by a cavity that has developed in your tooth or an infection of the pulp (nerve) and other tissues inside the root canal system of your teeth. This condition is called "Endodontic-Periradicular Abscess," It needs to be taken care of immediately by a dentist. If the toothache is not treated, it will spread and may cause permanent damage to your teeth.
An endodontic-periradicular abscess (EPA) is an infection that originates in the pulp chamber or root canals of a tooth. It is also known as a periapical abscess or radicular cyst, referring to the same condition. General dentistry refers to the infection by saying it originates in either the root canal system (endodontic) or apical foramen (periradicular).
The cause of your tooth pain certainly matters as it will likely determine the best path forward when it comes to a treatment plan.
This depends on the cause of your toothache. It may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for your pain to go away. If not treated, it can lead to more severe problems in the future, such as an abscessed root canal or severely damaged teeth. In the meantime, your dentist can provide some helpful tips for how to manage the pain.
There are many different treatments for treating a toothache ranging from remedies at home to dental procedures that will need follow-up care at our office. First, it is crucial to determine the cause of the toothache. Is the pain coming from your gums? Did you recently chip or crack a tooth? Are there any signs of infection such as swelling, redness, drainage, bleeding, etc.? If so, then let us know right away! Our dental team can help alleviate some discomfort and determine the best course of action to take.
There are many things that we recommend doing to soothe the pain and give your mouth a break! Some of these include: rinsing out your mouth with warm salt water (teaspoon of natural or sea salt dissolved in a cup of warm water, spit out and repeat as needed), rinsing your mouth with an over the counter fluoride mouthwash like ACT fluoride rinse (this will help to decrease pain associated with a toothache or other issue in the mouth which cause sensitivity), apply cold compress/ice pack on outside of cheek near affected area for 20 minutes at a time.
Tooth pain can certainly get in the way of your regular life and could be a warning sign of a bigger dental problem. Please don't ignore tooth pain because it likely needs to be addressed right away. If you're not sure how to relieve your tooth pain, turn to the person who can help. Your dentist is an excellent resource for understanding tooth pain and your options for relief. Contact your dentist to learn more.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Visalia, CA.
Seeing a general dentist for regular checkups should be part of your dental care routine. This dental professional can help maintain and even improve your teeth and gum health. Asking the right questions can help you know more about proper oral care. Below are some of the questions you can ask your general dentist during…
General dentistry practitioners focus on preventative treatments that keep the teeth and gums healthy, but they can also perform restorative and cosmetic procedures. Some general dentists actually specialize in cosmetic treatments aimed at improving the way that the teeth look.Let us take a look at a few of the procedures that dentists who practice general…
Having missing teeth can destroy a person’s confidence. Whenever we meet someone new, we make an impression on them. Many people feel that if they lack a great smile, they may not be putting out the best of themselves. We all want to make a good first impression and having a healthy-looking smile can be…
Your general dentist is here to provide some information about how to best take care of your teeth. Dental health and hygiene are essential to the overall health and wellness of your body. Without healthy teeth and gums, you will be unable to take in the nutrients and proteins necessary for your body to thrive…