If you’ve ever experienced a severe toothache, you know all too well how miserable it is. But the source of tooth pain can be difficult to pinpoint: Is the pain sharp or dull? Does it come and go? Do stimuli like pressure or temperature change the degree of pain?
But most importantly: How do I make it stop?
Toothache and dental pain may be caused by any of the following factors:
- Tooth decay
- Abscessed (severely infected) tooth
- Tooth fracture
- A damaged filling
- Grinding teeth
- Gingivitis (gum disease)
- Severe sinus headache, congestion from a cold or flu
The only way to determine the true cause of your tooth pain is to see your dentist, who through a series of questions, x-rays and tests can diagnose the problem. If you’re experiencing dental pain, we encourage you to make an appointment with your Yuba City dentist as soon as possible.
Home Remedies
If you can’t see a dentist right away, try these tips to help manage the pain of a toothache:
- Rinse out your mouth with warm water
- Use dental floss to remove particles and plaque between your teeth
- Apply a cold compress to the cheek of the affected area
- Try a soft toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Of course, these measures are temporary and you should see your dentist at the earliest opportunity. If you have a tendency to grind your teeth, you can also speak to your doctor about having a custom nightguard made.
Intense Pain
If you experience constant, severe pain and pressure, swelling of the gums, and unusual sensitivity to touch, your tooth is most likely infected. The infection may be accompanied by a dental abscess, which is an inflamed, pus-filled sac that has invaded the gum or bone tissue.
Under these circumstances, it’s important that you see your dentist or endodontist as soon as possible. Any delay could result in losing the tooth. Your dentist will most likely drain the abscess and attempt to halt the infection. Treatment may require a root canal to remove the dead or dying pulp tissue.
It’s also important to keep in mind that just because the pain has gone away doesn’t mean the infection has. In this case, seeing your dentist is a priority since the infection may have already spread. This can lead to tooth loss and in extreme cases could even cause death.
Tooth pain appears for a reason. If you are suffering from toothache, make an appointment with the Yuba City Dentistry Group and we can address the problem and relieve your pain.
