Toothache is a term used to describe pain and discomfort in the teeth or surrounding tissue. These symptoms have a number of potential causes, including cavities, gum disease, teething in children, infection, physical trauma, wisdom tooth emergence and inflammation of the tooth interior (pulpitis). Although it's possible to relieve some sources of toothache at least temporarily through home care, other sources require relief through medical intervention.
Home Care Options
Consider that the pain source may be a cavity. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most likely source of toothache is the development of a cavity, also known as tooth decay. Initially, you may try a number of self-care options to relieve your discomfort. Begin with a warm water rinse of your mouth. Follow this with an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), aspirin or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). Your condition may be worsened by the presence of food particles stuck between your teeth; use dental floss to remove any obstructions. You may also apply clove oil (eugenol) or over-the-counter antiseptics containing the anesthetic benzocaine directly to your tooth or irritated gum. In some circles, you may find recommendations to place a painkilling tablet such as aspirin directly against the affected area. Don't do this; it may lead to tissue burns.
When to See Your Dentist
Know when it's time to see a professional. If you see swelling or redness in your gums, have pain when you bite down or notice a bad taste in your mouth, see your dentist as soon as you can. Also see your dentist if have a fever, earache, breathing or swallowing difficulties, or if your home care remedies don't work after a couple of days.
Dental Treatments
Go over treatments after your dentist has examined you. If you have a cavity, relieving your symptoms might require removing the tooth interior or pulp and replacing it with an artificial filling. If your tooth is badly decayed--with infection extending down into its roots--you may need a more extensive procedure called a root canal, which involves removing the pulp and associated nerves, along with a cleaning of your remaining tooth interior. Infection may also cause formation of a pocket of pus in the tooth root or gum called an abscess. If this is true for you, your dentist will drain the abscess and prescribe an antibiotic to fight the infection. You may also be given antibiotics for infection of your tooth pulp.
In some cases, your tooth pain may be triggered by an infection in your sinuses that has spread to your mouth. If your dentist determines this is the case, he may refer you to a physician for treatment.
Relieving Teething Pain
If your child is the one in pain, try some simple remedies. If your child is teething, consider gel-centered teething rings that can be frozen in your refrigerator. You may also give your child hard crackers to chew on. With your doctor's advice, you may also use diminished doses of ibuprofen, acetaminophen or benzocaine gel.
Tags: your dentist, your tooth, tooth interior, your child, your mouth