When you experience a toothache, it is highly likely that you won’t be having a good time. Understanding the appropriate pain relief strategies for a toothache can go a long way toward eliminating problems and ensuring that you can remain as comfortable as possible until you can make it in to see the dentist. Our experienced team at Hendersonville Family Dental is dedicated to ensuring that you can obtain the appropriate services to resolve the underlying issue that is causing your toothache. Here are a few of the ideal pain relief strategies to help manage your pain in the meantime.
Cold Compress
The use of a cold compress is a great method for providing pain relief for your toothache. Pain relief strategies are particularly varied, but cold compresses are used for many various types of pain. Never place this particularly cold fixture against your tooth. This can trigger substantial sensitivity that can be incredibly painful. Instead of this, you need to hold the cold fixture against the side of your face. Before you do this, you need to wrap it in a cloth to prevent it from causing pain or damage by coming into direct contact with your skin.
Prevention of Toothaches
When you follow the steps to strengthen your teeth and keep them healthy, you can often help to prevent toothaches. This can be extraordinarily beneficial in preventing oral health problems from occurring in the first place. The use of certain products, such as fluoride mouthwash, can help to strengthen your teeth. The stronger your teeth are, the more resistant they will be to damage. You will also need to ensure that you keep your teeth healthy. This requires regular dental visits for thorough cleanings. You also have to brush your teeth for at least two minutes at a time, twice daily. It is also important to floss every day. These steps can often go a long way toward reducing toothaches.
Common Causes of Toothaches
It is crucial to ensure that you understand the various causes of your toothaches. This can help to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment to help minimize your pain over time. Cavities are often the cause behind your toothache. This is because cavities cause the enamel of the teeth to wear down, which may leave the more sensitive layer of dentin exposed. This can cause both severe and dull, aching pain, depending on the situation. Gum disease, trauma to the jaw, stuck food particles in the gums or teeth, and abscessed teeth can also cause toothaches to occur.
Actions to Avoid
The last thing that you want to do while suffering from a toothache is an action that will make the pain worse. When you ensure that you avoid these actions, you can prevent them from causing you undue levels of pain. For one thing, you should generally avoid eating or drinking particularly hot beverages or food. You will also want to avoid particularly cold consumption, as well. This is because extreme temperatures one way or the other can trigger high levels of sensitivity that can be quite painful. It is important to be careful when you are brushing or caring for your teeth. This gentle behavior can help to avoid you triggering extra pain. You may want to ensure that you chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the toothache while you are heaving oral health issues.
See a Dentist
Whenever you are experiencing a toothache, it will be important to ensure that you visit your dentist. This will help to ensure that initial issues are resolved and your teeth are restored to excellent health. Not only will a dentist be able to help you handle your toothache, but they will also be able to identify the cause behind your toothache. There are several scenarios in which you may want to consider receiving emergency services from your dentist. Pay attention if you find that there is swelling or discharge in the area. You should also ensure that you call your dentist if the pain lasts longer than a few days. You may need to obtain emergency dental services if you find that you have a fever or that you have trouble breathing or swallowing. This can go a long way toward ensuring you obtain the services that you need.
Making an appointment with the dentist should be the first thing you do when you begin to experience a toothache. However, you will often still benefit from pain relief strategies to help you to handle your toothache. In some situations, you may also benefit from obtaining emergency services when you are experiencing severe levels of pain. To learn more about how to handle the pain from your toothache and the importance of visiting a dentist in these situations, contact us at Hendersonville Family Dental to schedule your appointment with us!