Cure Your Toothache – Everything You Need to Know!

The mere mention of a toothache can trigger dread and worry in most people. After all, a toothache is one of the most common signs of dental and mouth problems. But as unpleasant as it may seem, it is helpful to understand what causes toothache and how to deal with it.

Therefore, read on for a comprehensive guide to toothache and its symptoms, causes, and treatments.

What is a Toothache?

At its simplest, a toothache is a pain felt around a tooth or in the jaws. It may be mild or intense and can range from coming and going to constant, nagging pain. This type of pain is often related to tooth damage or inflammation. Toothache is caused by various issues, including cavities, infection, trauma, abnormally formed teeth, or even bruxism (teeth grinding).

Toothache in Brighton, Queensland and How to Treat it

Symptoms of Toothache

When suffering from a toothache, you’re likely to experience various symptoms. These can include toothache that is sharp, dull, and throbbing, difficulty biting or chewing, swelling around the tooth, fever, headache, and foul-tasting drainage from the affected area. Sometimes, the toothache may be accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing. If this is the case, you should visit a dental professional immediately.

Known Causes of Toothaches

Several factors can cause toothache. The most common are:

  • A bacterial infection inside the tooth’s centre is known as an abscess.
  • A broken tooth.
  • A damaged filling.
  • Repetitive motions include biting down, chewing gum, and brushing too hard.
  • Erosion due to acid and sugary foods.
  • Eruption of a tooth, such as that of wisdom teeth.
  • Injury to the face or head.

How Can I Treat Toothache at Home?

If your toothache is temporary, here are some things you can do for relief:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), hold a cold compress of ice to the affected area for 20-minute periods, and take over-the-counter pain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve), or Tylenol if you can’t take NSAIDs.
  • Use clove oil to numb the pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Apply vanilla extract to the tooth and gum a few times a day.
  • Apply a cooled-down peppermint tea bag to the tooth and gum.
  • Make a paste of crushed garlic clove and apply it to the affected area.

Risks of Self-Treating a Toothache

Although taking measures to relieve your toothache at home can provide temporary relief, it won’t have any long-term effects and is not a permanent solution. If the pain persists after trying these more straightforward remedies, you should visit a dental professional to diagnose and treat the issue properly.

When Should I See a Professional Dentist?

If you find that the pain hasn’t subsided after taking over-the-counter painkillers and there is still swelling on your gums, then visiting your dentist for toothache is crucial. Your dental team will review your medical history and perform a physical exam at the office. They’ll also take X-rays of your mouth to determine the cause of the toothache.

Dental Treatments for Toothaches

Your dentist will identify the cause of the toothache and administer the appropriate treatment depending on the symptoms you are experiencing and the extent of the pain you are experiencing. This can range from simply filling the cavity to extracting the tooth or performing a root canal to remove and replace the infected pulp within the tooth. All of our recommendations are for those that might suffer from oral conditions in the future and want to understand what they entail.

Schedule an Appointment Today

We offer same-day visits and late opening hours that work around your schedule. Is part of your jaw throbbing, or perhaps a tooth and no pain relief has diminished the pain? It is now time to see the dentist for suitable medical assistance. We’re providers with Medibank, HCF and MDF. You can claim your health fund rebate on the spot with our HICAPS machine.

* Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.

Common Questions & Answers Related to Missing Teeth

Should I brush a toothache?

Yes, continue brushing your teeth as you normally would when you have a toothache. We suggest that make sure that the infected area is attended to carefully and thoroughly. Neglecting this area could cause the bacteria to build up, which in turn, will increase the swelling and pain of the toothache.

How long can a toothache last?

If there is damage to the nerves of the tooth, then you can expect a toothache to last anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 weeks, perhaps longer in prolonged cases.

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Can the pain resolve itself?

It is unlikely that the pain of a toothache will dissipate on its own – certainly not, if the pain originates from a cavity. The pain will only increase if that is the case and the only solution is to book an appointment with your dentist.

How can I tell if the toothache is more serious?

If you find that the pain is progressively getting worse, has been persistent for at least 2 days and has lead to the pain moving to your ears. At this point, we would recommend booking a dental appointment.

What is the best pain killer for toothache?

To reduce the swelling and pain you are suffering from, we recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibruprofen, Advil, naproxen or Motrin. These drugs are designed to reduce the inflammation in the infected region of your mouth.

Is Severe Tooth Pain Common at Brighton Dental Suite?

At Brighton Dental Suite, we are trained to treat severe tooth pain as it is one of the common causes for attending the dentists as an emergency.

Are there any unpleasant stories you’ve experienced at a dentist involving tooth pain?

As a dentist at Brighton Dental Suite, I can assure you that we strive to provide a comfortable and pain-free experience for all our patients. While it’s true that some people may have negative experiences with dental procedures or treatment, it’s important to understand that leaving tooth pain or discomfort untreated can often make the situation worse. That said, not all dental procedures are painful, and many are actually pain-free and can help alleviate tooth pain. If you are experiencing any tooth pain or discomfort, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist at Brighton Dental Suite as soon as possible. By doing so, we can properly diagnose the issue and provide the most appropriate treatment to alleviate tooth pain.

Our Concluding Thoughts on Dealing with a Toothache

Toothache can be caused by many different factors and can be pretty painful to those that are unfortunate enough to suffer from it for a prolonged period. While you can try to relieve it temporarily with home remedies and painkillers, professional intervention may be required if it doesn’t stop being sore. Your dentist will be able to properly diagnose and treat whatever dental or mouth problem is causing the toothache.

If you experience persistent tooth pain, it is best to see a dentist as soon as possible. If left untreated, a toothache can worsen over time and lead to severe complications, such as infection and diseases of the jaw or gums. Not only will seeing a professional help solve the immediate problem, but it may also save you time and money in the long run if more severe issues are avoided.

Make an Appointment Today