Dealing with a toothache? Here’s how to handle it.
A toothache is a warning sign that something isn’t right with a tooth. Of course, teeth will not be able to heal themselves, which is why it’s important that you visit our Chicago Loop dentist Dr. Samia Hempel right away for care. After all, a toothache is considered a dental emergency. A toothache takes on many different forms including,
- Persistent pain
- Intermittent pain
- Pain that gets worse when exposed to hot or cold
- Pain that gets worse when chewing or biting down
- A dull throbbing
- A sharp, stabbing pain
- Jaw pain
There are many causes for a toothache, which is why it’s important to visit us as soon as possible for treatment so we can figure out what’s going on and how to best treat the problem. The most common causes of a toothache include,
- Decay
- Gum disease
- Trauma to the tooth (a cracked or fractured tooth)
- Impacted teeth (common in wisdom teeth)
- Teeth grinding
- An abscess (a sign of an infection near the tooth roots)
As you can see, there are many dental problems that could cause serious complications for your oral health if not properly treated by a qualified dental professional. Don’t put off a visit to the dentist’s office, otherwise, you risk more serious problems such as tooth or bone loss.
Find Relief Fast
But what if you’re dealing with a toothache in the middle of the night? We know that you’ll want some fast, effective relief before calling our Chicago Loop dentist first thing in the morning. In the meantime, you can ease your achy tooth by,
- Gargling with water containing a ½ tsp of salt
- Taking an anti-inflammatory medication
- Applying a cold compress on the side with the affected tooth
- Applying a topical oral analgesic to the gums around the tooth
Preventing Toothaches
We know that the last thing you want to deal with is a toothache. The good news is that many causes of toothaches can be prevented altogether with proper care. Here are some ways to reduce your risk for a toothache,
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily
- Visit your dentist twice a year for dental checkups
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth
- Wear a sports guard to protect your teeth when playing contact sports
- Avoid foods that are extremely hard or crunchy
- Do not eat ice
- Do not use your teeth as tools
Turn to the friendly, caring Chicago Loop dentist Dr. Hempel here at Park View Smiles for all of your routine, cosmetic, or emergency dentistry needs. If you are dealing with a toothache, call us right away at (312) 726-5830.