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Most people know what it feels like to have a toothache. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s not a big deal. While you might try to ignore tooth pain, it can be a clue that points toward a serious oral health problem.
Getting help for a toothache as soon as possible is always the best option, whether the pain is due to a cavity or an abscess. That’s why we encourage our patients to pay attention to tooth pain and contact us when there’s an issue.
Speak with Dr. Brett Langston and his team if your tooth is hurting. We’ll walk you through how to fix a painful tooth and tell you what to do before your emergency appointment.
Good oral hygiene habits can help prevent mouth discomfort. However, tooth pain has several causes, some of which you might never see coming.
Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases worldwide and a leading cause of tooth pain. It develops because bacteria remain in the mouth due to improper brushing and flossing. When these bacteria live on teeth, they slowly eat away at the enamel.
There are multiple types of bacteria throughout your body, and not all of them are harmful. However, an overabundance of bacteria in your mouth can cause problems such as gum disease and infections. Oral bacteria also turn into plaque, which causes tooth decay. This may appear as small brown, white, or black spots on your teeth.
A gum infection can cause tooth pain and lead to gum disease, the primary cause of adult tooth loss. Gum disease develops for many reasons, including:
When too many bacteria grow in your mouth, you might feel pain in your teeth. However, the discomfort could originate from infected gums, not tooth decay.
The most common symptoms of gum disease are:
Gum disease in its early stages can be treated or even reversed. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Brett Langston if you think you have gum disease, and we’ll recommend the proper treatment for your condition.
A tooth fractures when it becomes cracked or damaged. This can happen accidentally or because you were chewing on something hard, like a sourdough pretzel or pen cap. Sometimes, the fracture is slow to develop, which causes the tooth to throb off and on.
While a fractured tooth doesn’t always cause symptoms, you should watch for these signs:
Because these symptoms come and go, it may be challenging to determine which tooth is causing the problem.
The pulp is the soft inner layer of your tooth that contains living blood vessels, tissues, and nerves. A tooth abscess begins when part of all of the pulp dies. Bacteria settle in this space and become an infection or abscess.
If you have an abscessed tooth, you might experience an intense toothache and swelling. Some patients have redness inside and outside of the mouth near the jaw. The tooth may become sensitive to cold or hot foods, and you may have trouble opening your mouth to chew. If these symptoms appear, seek an emergency dentist.
When you clench and grind your teeth, the pressure can cause cracks and fractures to develop. Tooth grinding, which dentists call “bruxism,” can be caused by stress, a genetic tendency, or an overdeveloped jaw muscle. If you don’t take steps to manage it, you might end up with cracked teeth, loose fillings, and cavities.
If you notice any of these signs, you may be dealing with bruxism:
Although a mouthguard can alleviate the harmful effects of bruxism, it’s worth addressing the root of the problem. Many patients can find relief from their symptoms through stress management techniques.
When your gums are sore and your teeth throb, you want to know how to fix tooth pain immediately! Scheduling an emergency dental appointment gets you the attention your teeth need, but these at-home remedies can be used for short-term relief.
Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is one of the best things you can do until you can get to an emergency dentist. A balanced solution includes half a teaspoon of table salt mixed with 8 ounces of water. Swish for around 30 seconds, but remember not to swallow.
This simple mixture helps relieve tooth pain. It cleans and fights swelling, killing oral bacteria. Salt water also calms down sore gums by easing inflammation.
A warm salt water rinse also increases the pH balance in your mouth. In a high pH (alkaline) environment, bacteria struggle to survive. Salt water can also reduce swelling because it clears away debris and draws out fluids.
If you have facial swelling, place an ice pack on your cheek at 15-minute intervals. Swelling could indicate a tooth abscess, which can lead to a severe infection in adjacent teeth and your jaw. Applying the cold compress may help ease discomfort.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers don’t require a prescription. They are often the first defense against tooth pain and can also reduce inflammation and swelling. Follow the guidelines on the packaging when taking any of these medications:
Every medication is different, so read the label carefully to avoid exceeding the daily limits. Taking too much may have side effects, such as an upset stomach or serious liver complications.
OTC pain relievers only work for a little while. For a long-term solution, schedule an emergency dental visit with Dr. Brett Langston.
When you lay flat, blood and other fluids collect in your head, increasing your discomfort. Elevating your head may work to combat this. Additionally, it can help reduce swelling, improve circulation, and alleviate some pain.
It may seem impossible to eat when you have tooth pain. However, you need healthy foods to help your body heal.
Some foods can soothe discomfort, but others can irritate your mouth. Temperature, texture, and acidity might affect tooth pain. It’s best to avoid these foods when you have a toothache:
It’s always best to limit your alcohol consumption and choose less acidic options to help relieve your pain.
Everyone has occasional aches and pains, but tooth pain isn’t normal. A toothache needs attention and potential treatment quickly to prevent a more severe situation.
Consider seeking emergency dental care when you experience bleeding, severe pain, an infection, or abnormally loose teeth.
It’s important to note a few more urgent symptoms. Constant and intense or worsening pain is a sign of a dental emergency. OTC medication may mask the pain, but it will not cure the problem.
Swelling around the gums or in the face is a definite sign that something is wrong. Contact an emergency dentist and seek treatment as soon as possible.
Have you developed a fever along with your toothache? This is a sign of a potential infection and requires immediate attention from a skilled dentist.
Time is always of the essence when facing a dental emergency. Delaying treatment could cause irreversible damage to your mouth. You may also have to pay for more invasive and expensive treatment.
In some situations, swelling or a fever may be life-threatening. Both symptoms indicate a potential infection. If left untreated, it could spread to other parts of your body.
Don’t wait until later, hoping your tooth pain will get better. Calling Dr. Brett Langston as soon as possible could prevent additional damage and preserve your oral health.
Before any dentist can tell you how to fix tooth pain, they need to determine the problem. At Dr. Brett Langston’s office, we rely on dental X-rays and visual examinations to help us get to the root of the issue.
You may be able to tell us the specific tooth causing your pain. At other times, several teeth may be in question. We look for signs such as bleeding and inflammation and then review the X-ray to examine the supporting structures. This helps us diagnose the issue and recommend suitable treatment.
Pain management may be addressed during your visit, but that doesn’t resolve the problem. Simple procedures, like fillings or extractions, may be completed during emergency visits. Some root canals may be done on the same day. In other cases, fixing the broken or damaged tooth may require an additional appointment.
When you visit us for emergency dental care, you can expect solutions for issues such as severe tooth pain, injuries, and infections. We offer these treatments for same-day emergency appointments.
Root canal therapy involves repairing and saving an infected or damaged tooth. Your treating dentist will remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the root canal inside the tooth, clean it, and fill it with a sealer and rubberlike material. The surface of the tooth will be restored with a crown to protect it from further damage or infection.
Benefits of root canal therapy includes:
Untreated oral infections have been linked to heart disease. Treating a tooth with root canal therapy can prevent the infection from spreading and causing further harm.
A tooth extraction may be the last resort when a filling or crown cannot adequately restore the tooth. This can happen with very advanced tooth decay.
Additionally, severe gum disease affects the supporting tooth structures and bone. The tooth no longer has the necessary support, making extraction the only option.
An impacted tooth is blocked from naturally erupting. Impaction is common in wisdom teeth, but other teeth can be affected, too. An extraction may be necessary to prevent the impacted tooth from damaging adjacent teeth.
If your dental emergency is caused by a car accident, your teeth may have suffered extensive damage. Extraction may be the only option, depending on how severely the tooth is broken.
You may need an abscess drainage to help relieve tooth pain related to an infection. Your treating dentist will make a small cut into the abscess to drain the pus. They’ll wash the area with saline and may insert a drain to keep it open for continued drainage.
A temporary dental filling is used for teeth with an uncertain prognosis or to maintain the tooth’s functionality until a permanent filling can be placed. They can last several weeks, but you’ll need a follow-up appointment for your permanent restoration.
An antibiotic is typically prescribed to treat severe oral infections and prevent them from spreading. Some reasons you might get a prescription from our emergency dentist includes:
Common antibiotics used in dentistry are amoxicillin, clindamycin, and azithromycin. Which medication you get depends on your condition and any allergies you have.
No one wants to repeat their experience with a severe toothache. Following these tips can help prevent future discomfort.
Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once removes plaque and prevents cavities. Brush for at least two minutes and use a fluoride toothpaste.
Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings with Dr. Brett Langston and his team. Our hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth to help protect against cavities.
If you suffer from bruxism, get a mouthguard. This appliance can protect your oral health when you clench your teeth together in your sleep. You can buy one from a retail store, or you can ask our team about a custom guard designed to fit your mouth.
We want to help you find relief from your tooth pain. Contact Dr. Brett Langston and his experienced team at 470-610-0083 to schedule an emergency dental appointment.
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