What To Do When You Have A Toothache
Proper care of your teeth and gums, coupled with regular visits to the dentist can almost assure that you will not have a toothache, but there are exceptions. Poor dental hygiene, eating lots of sweets and carbohydrates can also pretty much assure that you will have a cavity or toothache. Prevention is always the key but what do you do when you do have a toothache?
Google and other Internet searches always bring up interesting and often wrong information. One such search brought up the suggestion "bite on a Tylenol pill and let it dissolve into to the cavity, then rinse with some warm water, then rinse the tooth with peroxide water"!!! Another said, "I have had that happen too. I would try ice". It is certainly good that dentists need to be trained and licensed to treat toothaches. I would not want either of these people to treat me.
Decay in a tooth creates what we call a cavity, basically a hole in the tooth. Acids from the bacteria in our mouth dissolve and soften the hard tooth structure. As the decay approaches the pulp or nerve of the tooth, pain is the warning sign that there is something wrong. Sometimes the pain may get better then worsen. The pain stopping does not mean that the problem is resolved. Especially a tooth or gum issue that wakes you up in the middle of the night is normally an indication of a severe dental problem.
Over the counter pain medications can help but putting it directly in the cavity is the worst thing especially if it is aspirin. There are some over the counter temporary filling materials that can help short-term. Over the counter oil of clove is can also help sooth a toothache when applied directly in the cavity.
Swelling of the gums normally indicates active infection. Often pus or other drainage is present. This can be cause by an infected pulp or nerve of the tooth or it could be a periodontal or gum issue. While over the counter pain medication can help, dental infections normally require antibiotics to resolve the infection.
When an existing filling comes out, initially there may not be any decay but it could still hurt. The inner portion of the tooth, the dentin, is much more organic than the outer enamel and responds to temperature and sweet. Again a temporary filling can help.
When a dental crown comes out, again the inner dentin is exposed and may cause pain. You can try to just re-insert the crown temporarily to relieve the pain. Do not use any household glues such as Super Glue. The glue will not hold well and often creates a more difficult situation to resolve. If you re-insert the crown, be very careful that it does not come off and you swallow it. If in doubt, leave it out.
While these measures can help with the symptoms, getting in to see a dentist as soon as possible is critical.
In today's active society an accidental injury to a tooth or teeth can easily happen. Stabilization is indicated followed by a quick trip to the dentist. A traumatically broken tooth can break into the pulp or nerve, requiring immediate dental care. A tooth that is accidentally knocked out can be re-implanted. If the tooth is clean and intact, try to re-insert it back into the socket. Make sure it is turned the right way. Never scrub the tooth
If you cannot re-insert the tooth, the next best thing to do is to put it back in the mouth in the fold of the cheek. Only do this if the person is old enough to not swallow it. The safest thing to do is to put the tooth in a container of clean water or milk, and rush to the dentist as soon as possible.
More About Emergency Dental Care
Google and other Internet searches always bring up interesting and often wrong information. One such search brought up the suggestion "bite on a Tylenol pill and let it dissolve into to the cavity, then rinse with some warm water, then rinse the tooth with peroxide water"!!! Another said, "I have had that happen too. I would try ice". It is certainly good that dentists need to be trained and licensed to treat toothaches. I would not want either of these people to treat me.
Decay in a tooth creates what we call a cavity, basically a hole in the tooth. Acids from the bacteria in our mouth dissolve and soften the hard tooth structure. As the decay approaches the pulp or nerve of the tooth, pain is the warning sign that there is something wrong. Sometimes the pain may get better then worsen. The pain stopping does not mean that the problem is resolved. Especially a tooth or gum issue that wakes you up in the middle of the night is normally an indication of a severe dental problem.
Over the counter pain medications can help but putting it directly in the cavity is the worst thing especially if it is aspirin. There are some over the counter temporary filling materials that can help short-term. Over the counter oil of clove is can also help sooth a toothache when applied directly in the cavity.
Swelling of the gums normally indicates active infection. Often pus or other drainage is present. This can be cause by an infected pulp or nerve of the tooth or it could be a periodontal or gum issue. While over the counter pain medication can help, dental infections normally require antibiotics to resolve the infection.
When an existing filling comes out, initially there may not be any decay but it could still hurt. The inner portion of the tooth, the dentin, is much more organic than the outer enamel and responds to temperature and sweet. Again a temporary filling can help.
When a dental crown comes out, again the inner dentin is exposed and may cause pain. You can try to just re-insert the crown temporarily to relieve the pain. Do not use any household glues such as Super Glue. The glue will not hold well and often creates a more difficult situation to resolve. If you re-insert the crown, be very careful that it does not come off and you swallow it. If in doubt, leave it out.
While these measures can help with the symptoms, getting in to see a dentist as soon as possible is critical.
In today's active society an accidental injury to a tooth or teeth can easily happen. Stabilization is indicated followed by a quick trip to the dentist. A traumatically broken tooth can break into the pulp or nerve, requiring immediate dental care. A tooth that is accidentally knocked out can be re-implanted. If the tooth is clean and intact, try to re-insert it back into the socket. Make sure it is turned the right way. Never scrub the tooth
If you cannot re-insert the tooth, the next best thing to do is to put it back in the mouth in the fold of the cheek. Only do this if the person is old enough to not swallow it. The safest thing to do is to put the tooth in a container of clean water or milk, and rush to the dentist as soon as possible.
More About Emergency Dental Care
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