It can be hard to eat, talk, or sleep when you have a severe toothache. Many people experience dental pain that may come and go for various reasons. You can use painkillers to find relief if you have a mild toothache. But if the pain is recurring, you must visit a dentist to know the cause. Sometimes, a toothache may require emergency care. Severe tooth pain can make it impossible to perform any activity.
WHAT CAUSES SEVERE TOOTH PAIN?
Severe tooth pain may come on suddenly. Sometimes, the pain begins as a mild ache before gradually becoming severe. The pain may be due to various reasons, including:
- A dental infection
- An abscessed tooth
- A broken or cracked tooth
- An injury to the face
- Impacted wisdom tooth
- Severe tooth sensitivity
- Teeth grinding
- A sinus infection or congestion
Home remedies can relieve temporary pain, but dental treatment is vital to treating the underlying cause.
DEALING WITH SEVERE TOOTH PAIN
There are things that you can do to relieve tooth pain. They include:
- Keep your head elevated, and use an extra pillow when sleeping
- Place an icepack over the cheek, but not directly on the tooth
- Avoid biting into or chewing hard foods
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco products
- Avoid using your teeth to open bottles or as tools
- Do not use sharp objects to dislodge food stuck between teeth
Keep up your regular oral hygiene routine, even with tooth pain. Neglecting oral care will only make the situation worse. If pain worsens or persists, visit the dentist for proper treatment.
HOW TO IDENTIFY DENTAL EMERGENCIES
A sudden toothache can be painful. Sometimes, you cannot wait to get to your dentist in the morning or after the weekend. Some situations call for emergency care. If you experience sharp, stabbing pain, get emergency dental treatment. Get emergency treatment if you have throbbing pain that feels like a heartbeat in the tooth or inflammation around the teeth. Red irritated gums and generalized oral pain with no clear cause are signs of dental emergencies.
TOOTH PAIN REMEDIES
There are home remedies that help relieve tooth pain. The remedies provide temporary relief for chronic dental pain or toothache emergencies. OTC pain relievers or NSAIDs can help relieve mild toothaches. When used as directed, they can relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation. Other remedies include oil of cloves, ice packs, garlic, salt water rinse, toothache gels and drops, and baking soda.
EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE
If you have sudden or severe tooth pain, you can visit an emergency room for pain relief medications. It is advisable to find out if there is a dentist on staff. A dentist is in the best position to deal with dental issues. Many emergency rooms do not have the necessary equipment to assess dental damage. Some dental offices provide emergency services for their patients. The dentist will identify the cause of the pain and prescribe the best treatment. If you have an issue causing swelling in the neck, making it difficult to breathe, visit an emergency room. For more on dealing with severe tooth pain, visit Sand Lake Dental at our office in Orlando, Florida. Please call (407) 355-0608 to book an appointment today.
