Have you been feeling a sharp pain in your tooth preventing you from doing the things you love? If so, it’s likely that you’re suffering from a toothache and need to take steps to reduce toothache pain as soon as possible. Toothache at night is a common hassle and disrupts peaceful sleep.
What causes toothaches, and how to tackle this uncomfortable dental issue? In this blog post, we will discuss common symptoms associated with a toothache, potential causes for discomfort, experimental treatments for pain relief at home, and when to visit your dentist. Read on for our full guide on getting rid of a toothache.
Six common causes of a toothache
1. Cavities / Tooth decay
Cavities develop when bacteria-filled plaque creates acids that erode the enamel of your teeth. If left untreated, holes can become even deeper, leading to more serious infections and pain. Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent cavities.
2. Gum disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is another possible cause of toothache. It can lead to inflammation, redness, tenderness, and severe pain. Your dentist may recommend scaling or root planning treatments to eliminate the infection and reduce symptoms.
3. Injury
An injury or trauma to your mouth or jaw can also be responsible for causing a painful toothache. Injuries during sports activities or car accidents may result in cracked teeth, leading to intense pain while eating or drinking anything hot or cold. Other injuries, such as biting down with force, could also lead to serious discomfort around the affected area until it heals completely.
4. Abscessed tooth
An abscessed tooth is an infection inside one of your teeth caused by bacteria buildup between your gum tissue and teeth roots or on top of them near the crowns (the visible part). Depending on how severe it has become, the best way to treat an abscessed tooth is with antibiotics and further dental treatments, such as root canal therapy or extraction.
5. Grinding teeth
Grinding your teeth (also known as bruxism) is another possible cause of persistent toothache.
Tooth grinding has a tendency to wear down existing enamel over time which then exposes sensitive nerve endings inside each tooth root and leads to extreme sensitivity. It happens mostly when consuming anything hot or cold, as well as general discomfort around this area all day long.
6. Sinus infection
Sinus infections are another potential cause of a painful toothache since they tend to put pressure on the maxillary sinuses directly behind both upper rows of teeth.
It can then lead to extreme sensitivity when consuming anything hot or cold due to the pressure placed upon those nerves all day until they heal properly again after being treated accordingly with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor if needed.
Symptoms of a toothache
When confronted with an infected or cracked tooth, it’s important to identify the symptoms early on. Some common signs and symptoms associated with a toothache include:
Constant throbbing or sharp shooting pain in one area of your mouth or teeth could occur at various intervals.
Swelling around the affected area may cause difficulty opening your mouth.
Pain when biting down on food or putting pressure on your gums.
Painful chewing following dental procedures like braces, fillings, crowns, implants etc.
How to get rid of a toothache?
There are several home remedies available to help relieve tooth pain. Here are 7 of the most popular home remedies for relieving toothache pain.
1. Cold compress
To reduce swelling and temporarily relieve oral pain, apply a cold compress to the affected region of your face. The cool temperature helps constrict blood vessels in the area, thus decreasing inflammation and numbing nerve endings for a soothing experience.
2. Salt water rinse
Saltwater rinses have been the premier home remedy for temporary pain relief for thousands of years.
Not only do they draw out infection, but they also diminish inflammation and discomfort in a matter of minutes.
To create your mix: add one teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water and run it around your mouth for several seconds before spitting it out—just like that, you’ve got an effective solution.
3. Clove oil
Clove oil has been used as a herbal remedy since ancient times. It is known for its antiseptic properties and ability to relieve pain due to its active ingredient, eugenol, a topical anaesthetic. Apply a few drops of clove oil directly onto the aching tooth with a cotton ball, or use an eyedropper to apply it to the affected area for toothache relief.
4. Guava leaves
Guava leaves contain compounds that can help reduce inflammation and fight off bacteria that could be causing your toothache pain due to their antibacterial properties. Chew on guava leaves for about 30 seconds at a time or boil them in water for 10 minutes, then strain them before using them as a rinse. This will help soothe irritated gums and provide tooth pain relief.
5. Peppermint tea bag
Peppermint tea contains menthol, which has natural cooling properties that can help reduce swelling while numbing nerve endings and blocking pain signals in your mouth, providing temporary relief from a painful tooth. Use peppermint tea bags by wetting them with warm water and applying them directly onto your teeth or gums. Leave them on for several minutes before discarding them.
6. Garlic
Garlic is known for its medicinal properties due to its active ingredient, allicin, which has anti-inflammatory qualities that may reduce swelling while also fighting off bacterial infections that could be causing toothache pain or gum infection. Crush garlic cloves into a paste by mashing it with a spoon, then apply directly onto your teeth or gums.
7. Hydrogen peroxide rinse
Hydrogen peroxide is the perfect choice for anyone seeking a natural remedy to tackle toothache. Boasting antiseptic abilities, it can effectively kill any pesky germs or bacteria that could be causing your pain or oral wounds. To use hydrogen peroxide correctly, combine one teaspoon of full-strength H2O2 with one cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth. This simple yet effective treatment has repeatedly been proven to reduce tooth pain significantly.
If you do not find relief after using these home remedies and the toothache persists and worsens, do not delay an emergency appointment with your dentist and get your tooth seen immediately.
Some potential risks associated with delaying treatment include:
A more severe infection may need antibiotics or even hospitalisation.
The formation of an abscess can cause severe swelling in the face, jawline, and neck area.
The sore tooth can spread the infection to other teeth or other body areas.
Damage to surrounding tissue, such as bones or gums, can occur due to the progression of decay.
Additional costly dental treatments are required to repair damage caused by prolonged neglect.
What to expect at the dentist’s office?
The dentist will determine the right dental treatment to get rid of a toothache, depending on the cause. Here are six of the most common remedies for getting rid of that nasty dental pain once and for all.
1. X-rays
A simple X-ray from your dentist will tell you whether an underlying problem is causing your toothache. Sometimes the cause can be something as simple as a piece of food caught between teeth or a small cavity, but other times it could be something more serious, such as an infection or an abscessed tooth.
2. Fillings
If you have a cavity, your dentist may recommend filling it with a special type of filling material called “composite.”
This type of filling is more durable than traditional metal fillings.
It can also help protect against future cavities by sealing off the area where bacteria can enter and cause decay.
3. Root canals
Suppose the cause of your toothache is an infection or an abscessed tooth. In that case, your dentist may recommend a root canal procedure to remove any damaged tissue inside the affected tooth and replace it with healthy new tissue.
4. Extractions
If a root canal procedure isn’t enough to relieve the pain, then an extraction may be necessary if the affected tooth is too badly damaged to save with other treatments like fillings or root canals.
5. Antibiotics
In some cases, antibiotics may also be prescribed if there is evidence of infection in or around the affected area. This treatment helps reduce inflammation and clear up any bacterial infections that may be contributing to your discomfort.
6. Pain medications
As a last resort, if all other treatments fail, your dentist may also prescribe some over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can help provide temporary relief until you can schedule an appointment with them.
Treat your toothache at Finesse Dental
Toothaches are no fun. But luckily, there are several treatments available that can help get rid of them quickly and effectively, depending on what’s causing them in the first place. From X-rays and fillings to root canals and extractions, there’s something out there for everyone when it comes to finding relief from those pesky aches and pains associated with teeth issues. So don’t wait to contact our friendly dentists at Finesse Dental today on (02) 8806 0790 for advice on tackling that troublesome toothache.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Toothache Home Remedies https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/home-remedies-toothache
