There is truly nothing worse than a bad toothache. It seems you can’t think about anything else! The trouble is, you don’t know if it’s something that will get better or worse, and it can strike at any time – while you’re at home or on vacation far from any dentist you know.
So how do you know when it’s time to finally call a dentist? First, let’s look at a few recommendations…
What Is My Tooth Trying to Tell Me?
Your tooth doesn’t just hurt for no reason. Your tooth pain could be a warning of something more. Maybe you have an infection or cavity that needs to be taken care of. A toothache could be a sign of a sinus infection or the beginning of allergy season too.
It’s best to get your tooth pain checked out by your dentist as soon as you are feeling symptoms. While it could be minor, it could also be an issue that could worsen with time, causing you even more pain and costing you more money if ignored.
What Cannot Wait?
Some dental pain conditions just cannot wait. Some of these may include:
- An abscessed tooth or obvious infection
- Dental trauma (knocked-out tooth, loose tooth, or severe bleeding)
- Broken tooth
- Loss of a dental filling, crown, or more
- Severe tooth pain
If you are concerned about an oral health problem of any kind, it is best not to wait. Instead, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Tricks to Try at Home
If you can’t get to your dentist when tooth pain strikes, there are a few tricks you can try at home until your pain subsides or you are able to visit your dentist.
1. Apply a cool compress to help with any swelling and provide pain relief by numbing the area for a few minutes.
2. Take pain medication that can be found over the counter. Medication such as Ibuprofen can help with inflammation as well as pain relief.
3. Try clove oil! This essential oil is becoming more and more well known for quick relief of dental pain. Simply apply clove oil to the painful area (including the tooth and gums) for a natural way to achieve pain relief. You’ll be amazed at how effective it is!
4. A saltwater rinse can be a soothing way to reduce inflammation and ease the pain you are feeling.
Don’t Wait to Call Your Dentist
While it’s tempting to try some at-home remedies before calling your dentist, it’s wise to get any kind of tooth pain checked out by a professional as soon as you can.
The dental professionals at myDental provide experienced dental care that you can count on. By having any dental pain examined, our dentists can repair any problems as well as prevent them from getting worse.
Staying current with your dental cleanings and exams is a way to prevent getting caught with dental pain when you least expect it. So if it’s time to schedule a checkup and cleaning, please book an appointment at a location nearest you.