Toothache is always a cause for concern. Whether you experience it in the form of a dull ache or it wakes you up at midnight with sharp pain, a toothache will leave you feeling pretty miserable. Your immediate priority will be to find a source of effective relief as soon as possible. So, what do you do when you have a toothache? First, you may find out why you have a toothache.
Why Does Your Tooth Hurt? Causes Of Toothache
Without knowing the cause, you may not get the relief you seek. Most people assume right away that they have cavities anytime they experience a toothache. But many things could be responsible for your condition. Cavities are, however, one of the most common causes. You may experience pain when you eat or drink. Your affected tooth may also feel sensitive when you drink sugary beverages. Other causes of toothache include a cracked tooth, infected tooth nerve, grinding teeth, wisdom teeth erupting, and abscess. Other causes may also include damaged old dental works or even fallouts.
What To Do If You Have A Toothache
Thankfully, you can try several methods at home to give you some relief from toothache. However, it is essential to note that these methods will not necessarily treat the cause of the ache. For that, you need to visit your dentist for proper examination and treatment. But before you set off to see your dentist, here are a few things you can try to gain some relief.
- Anti-inflammatory: One way to get your tooth pain to dull quickly is by taking an anti-inflammatory. Such drugs help to reduce swelling while blunting the pain signals sent to your brain. Plus, these drugs only take a few minutes to start working after you take them.
- Saltwater: If you don’t have any anti-inflammatory drug at home, you can try swishing your mouth with salt water to keep it clean. Saltwater will help in case you have any oral wounds while giving you some relief. Plus, it will also help remove food debris from your mouth after your meals.
- Cold compress to the jaw: If you’re experiencing pain in your jaw region, you may find some level of soothing relief with the help of a cold compress to the area. You can use any cold packaged product wrapped in a piece of a thin washcloth. Apply the compress to the region for about 20 minutes – long enough to reach your dentist, hopefully.
- A hot pack: An alternative to the cold compress is a hot pack. You can do this by filling a sock with some rice, tying the end, and letting it sit in the microwave for about a minute or two. Next, gently apply the warm sock to the painful area of your jaw.
- See a dentist for emergency treatment and relief: Even if you get the temporary pain relief you want, you need to visit your dentist for comprehensive evaluation and treatment. A thorough examination will not only identify the cause of your toothache but will also ensure that the problem does not persist.
