Tips for Dealing With a Toothache from Your South Gate Dentist

If you are experiencing a toothache, you may be wondering how you should go about dealing with it. A toothache can be extremely disruptive to daily activities, but thankfully, there are some effective ways to deal with the situation. Here are some tips for dealing with a toothache from your South Gate dentist.

Toothache Pain Management

Of course, your main concern will be to manage your pain. Below are some common and effective methods of tooth pain management:

• Pain Medication: Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen are both great for helping pain temporarily subside while you plan your emergency visit to the dentist. Ibuprofen, as an anti-inflammatory, will help reduce swelling. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and inform your dentist of any and all over-the-counter medications you have taken to manage your pain.

• Saltwater Rinse: Saltwater is excellent for maintaining a clean environment within the mouth, preventing the growth of bacteria. Rinsing with warm salt water will both keep the area clean and provide some much-needed relief.

• Cold or Hot Compress: Using a cold compress can help reduce pain and swelling. Applying a hot compress can help relax away the pain.

• Clove Oil: Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic and anti-inflammatory. Applying clove oil to the tooth that is causing you pain can help reduce pain and swelling naturally.

• Garlic: Garlic is known to have natural numbing and anesthetic capabilities. Applying a garlic paste to your tooth can help reduce or eliminate pain – just be prepared for a bit of bad breath!

• Guava Leaves: Guava leaves have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making them ideal for a natural tooth pain treatment. You can try either boiling guava leaves into a homemade mouthwash or chewing on them to help treat your toothache.

• Avoid Chewing On Affected Tooth: Any bit of additional pressure can potentially cause you to experience more pain. It is best to avoid chewing on the tooth that is causing you pain or discomfort.

It is important to keep in mind that even if you are able to successfully manage your tooth pain at home using any of the above methods, you must still see your dentist for an examination.

In many cases, even if you are able to get the pain to subside, it is most likely temporary. The root cause of your tooth pain must be addressed in order to prevent you from experiencing any further pain and to prolong and protect the health of the tooth.

Emergency Dental Visit

Once you are able to manage your tooth pain at home, it is crucial that you schedule an emergency dental visit to have your toothache examined by a dental professional.

Your dentist will have x-rays taken and will conduct an examination to find the root cause of the toothache; this will help determine what type of treatment needs to be administered.

Once the cause of your pain is identified, you will be planned for the treatment you need. If you have an infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics to ensure that the infection has the chance to clear before your treatment is administered.

Toothache Treatments

The cause of your tooth pain will determine what type of treatment you need. Below are some common types of dental treatment that are used to treat toothaches:

• Filling: Dental Fillings are used to treat cavities. The decay inside the tooth is removed, the tooth structure is built back up with the filling material to protect it from further decay.
• Root Canal: If the central nerve of the tooth has become damaged and/or infected, a root canal will be planned. A root canal is essentially a large filling that extends into the root of the tooth; the damaged nerve is removed and the tooth is then filled and rebuilt with a filling material. A dental crown is then placed over the top to protect the tooth from further damage.
• Gum Disease Treatment: Gum disease is a chronic infection of the gum tissues. Patients typically experience pain in the teeth and gums. Deep cleanings are done to remove harmful bacteria beneath the gum line and effectively manage gum disease.
• Prescription Pain Medication: In some cases, you may be in so much pain that over-the-counter pain medications just don’t cut it. Your dentist may prescribe you prescription pain medication to help relieve your pain prior to receiving the treatment you need.
• Antibiotics: If there is an infection or abscess present inside the mouth, you will be prescribed a round of antibiotics to clear it up.

How to Avoid Toothaches

The best way to avoid toothaches is to ensure that you properly care for your teeth and maintain a healthy and tooth-friendly diet.

Below are some of the best ways to avoid toothaches:

• Practice proper oral care at home (brushing and flossing twice daily)
• Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash
• Attend your dental check up and cleaning appointments as scheduled
• Avoid tobacco products
• Avoid sticky or hard candies
• Brush thoroughly after every meal
• Maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
• Notify your dentist as soon as you notice pain or discomfort inside the mouth

Suffering from toothache pain?

Toothaches are never fun, and toothaches can be pretty painful. It’s necessary to visit a general dentist to evaluate the pain carefully and recommend treatments so it doesn’t worsen!

For more information about treating toothaches and emergency dental treatment in South Gate or to get scheduled for an appointment in our South Gate dental office, book an appointment online or give us a call at 323-457-8787.