Have you ever experienced having toothaches that kept you up all night? Do ever just wish to snap all the pain away, so you can rest pain-free? Let’s face it, most of us have suffered from toothaches – be it from eating too many sweets or having problems with your braces.   

Many people would rather have colds or cough than endure the pain caused by a toothache. While there are instances when the pain is only mild and intermittent, some might also experience unbearable and excruciating ones. Whatever the case may be, it is always essential to seek the right treatment for your toothache.   

Toothaches: Overview and Treatment   

Toothache causes vary from person to person. There are several reasons why toothache occurs, including sinusitis issues, heart diseases, dental problems, or even lung cancer. However, tooth decay is one of the leading causes among all the mentioned culprits. Unlike any other condition, toothache does not normally go away on its own.   

What’s worst is that the longer you leave it unattended, the worst it can get. Once you delay treatment, you do not only run the risk of worsening the situation but it can also lead to the forming of abscesses which increases the likelihood of infection. Since there are different reasons why toothaches happen, you need to visit the dentist to know the right medical treatment for your situation.   

The Cause of Toothache  

Since you already know the overview of toothaches, it is necessary to understand the different reasons why it happens. Once the inner dental pulp becomes infected, toothache happens. It may be due to a cracked or fractured tooth, loose or broken fillings, cavities, or bacterial infection.   

However, there are times that toothache happens even when the pulp isn’t affected. Diseases such as ulcer, sinusitis and bite problems, or jaw alignment issues may also lead to aching teeth.   

Toothache Remedy at Home  

When your gums throb, and your mouth is sore and tender, and the pain is intolerable, you want to seek immediate relief, which is why we made a list for some home remedies you can do. But you need to take these remedies as they are, short-term reliefs, and not permanent solutions. So, you still need to see your dentist as soon as possible.   

Saltwater Rinse  

One of the best things you can do until you can get to the dentist is gargle warm water with salt. For this home remedy, you’ll only need two things: salt and water. The saltwater solution should have a half teaspoon of table salt to eight ounces of water.   

After gargling the solution, you must spit it out, and never swallow it. You can gently floss around the sore tooth to help remove any food particles that might have gotten stuck.  

Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers and Anesthetics   

There are a lot of pain relievers that can help in managing the pain. Most dentists suggest taking acetaminophen for young children, while adults can take ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen. However, consulting your dentist about the best possible treatment medications is still the best route to take. 

You can also apply pain-relieving gels and liquids on the sore tooth and nearby gums. These products contain benzocaine. It numbs your mouth and relieves the pain, so you can go about your day and have yourself checked by a professional.   

Cold Compress  

Cold compress is also an effective short-term toothache treatment. Whenever your face is swollen due to toothache, put an ice pack on your cheek. It may ease the pain, especially if you’ve chipped your tooth or if your gums are swelling.  

Clove oil  

Try checking your kitchen cabinet, you might be lucky to find a bottle of clove oil. To use this as a natural remedy, put it directly on the sore area or soak a cotton ball and apply it on the affected tooth and gums. Some even compare it to toothache gels, but unlike the gels, it has a pungent, warm, and spicy taste. Plus, it’s all-natural too. 

Toothache Treatment and Prevention  

The type of treatment usually depends on your situation. The dentist will advise you whether you need a tooth extraction, a root canal, or any other dental procedure. But before that, they will carry out a thorough oral examination to determine the best solution for you.   

If the problem area isn’t obvious, they will conduct an X-ray. This way, they can assess the situation better. When the problem is apparent, the dentist might opt to remove the decayed area of your tooth and replace it with a filling.   

In cases where the tooth’s pulp is infected, then your dentist might suggest a root canal procedure. This involves clearing out the infected area and filling the hole with a special paste to protect the remaining tooth.   

How Long Can A Toothache Last?  

Dental emergencies are pretty much what one would expect: excruciating pain from untreated cavities, swelling from an infection, chipped or a broken tooth from excessive chewing or sporting injuries.  

The duration of your toothache also varies, but some toothaches last for only a couple of hours after taking pain medications. When this happens, you should still see a dentist to avoid escalating the problem.    

It’s a good measure to see a dentist right away, especially when:   

• The pain interferes your day-to-day activities 

• The pain lasts longer the one to two days, even when it’s constant or intermittent 
• You’re having fever, earache, or unexplainable pain when opening your mouth   
• Any part of gums of the face is swollen 

Managing an Acute Dental Pain   

Home remedies and emergency toothache relief solutions can help ease the pain momentarily yet one of the most effective ways to ensure that the pain doesn’t reoccur is getting a proper doctor’s diagnosis. When the diagnosis is established and the source of acute dental pain is identified, appropriate dental treatment should be undertaken.   

With proper treatment, you can reduce the symptoms and aid the problem with the right medications. Most of the medications used for management of acute dental pain includes acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and combination therapy.   

Can You Sleep Having A Toothache?   

Have you ever noticed that toothaches seem to get worse at night? Some people can sleep with the toothache at night with the help of home remedies and OTC drugs, while others can’t. Severe pain caused by toothaches during the night can intensify because as you lie down, your blood rushes to the head. The blood circulation may significantly increase the pain and pressure people feel from a toothache.   

When a person is lying down, blood rushes to the head. This extra blood in the area may increase the pain and pressure that people feel from a toothache. Since you’ve got nothing left to do but sleep, you tend to focus on the toothache which doubles the pain you feel even more.   

Does Drinking Milk Help Toothache?   

Milk and dairy products that are rich in calcium are excellent for your teeth. They help strengthen your teeth since the calcium and phosphorous elements in milk repair tooth enamel that has dissolved due to excessive acid intake. It also contains a protein called casein. This substance helps fight tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel.  

However, if you are experiencing a toothache, drinking milk might not be the best. You can eat or drink applesauce, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soft fruits, and puddings or any soft food that isn’t too warm or too cold. Always remember to avoid too much sugar or acid intake.   

The Symptoms of a Toothache  

Have you ever tried eating ice cream causing your teeth to hurt so badly? Toothaches and jaw pain almost always happen when you least expect it. You experience severe pain and pressure whenever the inflammation increases. You may feel the pain on your cheek, ear, or jaw when this happens.   

Other signs include pain with chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold water, bleeding from around a tooth or gums, to swelling. All these symptoms are closely associated with dental decay, tooth fracture, or gum disease. In order to address the pain and relieve the stress, the best solution is still to have it checked by a professional immediately.    

How to Get an Emergency Toothache Relief?   

Home remedies provide you with quick, but temporary relief and are not a permanent solution for toothache. Getting emergency toothache relief is easy and simple. You only need to take OTC drugs or follow different home remedy tips we’ve listed above to relieve your pain.   

While your toothache may not be constant and you may feel better after taking a pain reliever, you need to remember that toothache is often a sign of severe health issues that require professional assistance.   

Whenever your toothache lasts for more than a day or two, don’t hesitate to visit and seek toothache treatment from a dentist. To avoid toothaches and other mouth infections, you need to have excellent dental hygiene. It is important to develop good dental hygiene. You can start by following these steps:   

• Do not forget to floss and clean between your teeth 

• Schedule regular dental visits 
• Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks 
• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes 

Bottomline   

Toothaches is a real pain that can ruin the rest of your day (or night.) That’s why it’s important to avoid any oral infections by practising good oral routine. But if you’re suffering from toothaches, have yourself checked by Carling Ford Dental’s expert dentists.     

Carlingford Dental is your trusted partner in providing friendly and experienced oral health hygiene services for you and your family. From veneers, tooth extractions to root canal and dental scale and clean, we help you regain your confidence with a healthy and bright smile.    

For more details and information, you can call us at (02) 9871 5228.