When you have a toothache, it’s hard to imagine anything worse. The feeling can seem like it’s shooting straight up to your brain, causing an immediate pain that can feel crippling even to the healthiest people.
Toothaches can be caused by a lot of things, such as:
- Tooth decay
- Tooth fracture
- A damaged filling
- Gum infection
- Grinding your teeth
Some of the more common toothache symptoms are:
- Pain in a tooth that either feels sharp, throbbing, or consistent. Sometimes, the pain is only present when pressure is being applied to the tooth
- Noticing swelling around a tooth
- Drainage from a tooth that leaves a bad taste
- Headaches or even fevers
Should I schedule a visit with my dentist about a toothache?
Yes! Please call our office immediate if you’re experiencing any of these:
- The toothache lasts longer than 24 hours
- The toothache is severe and interrupting your day-to-day
- You’re experiencing an earache or you have a fever accompanying the toothache
What’s Cherry Hill’s process of treating toothaches?
Our first goal is to quickly obtain your medical history and start an exam. We’ll start by asking you questions about the toothache, such a how severe the pain is, when did it start, where the pain is located, does anything make it worse, and does anything seem to make it feel better?
We’ll take x-rays and examine your mouth, looking at your teeth, gums, jaw, and tongue.
How do you treat a toothache?
Depending on the cause of the toothache, we have a few different options. If we notice a cavity as the cause of pain, we’ll fill it to prevent further damage. Under extreme circumstances, teeth may need to be extracted. If we determine that the infection is in the tooth’s nerve, a root canal will be needed to remedy the pain. Often times, bacteria has found its way into the tooth and is causing an infection, in which case we’ll prescribe an antibiotic.
Can I prevent toothaches in the future?
Most toothaches appear due to our teeth decaying. Good oral hygiene practices (brushing regularly with toothpaste containing fluoride, flossing once a day, rinsing every day with antiseptic mouthwash, and making visits to your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning) will help prevent these toothaches from appearing in the future. Other things you can start doing to prevent them is avoiding foods high in sugar, or ask Dr. Tanya about a mouthguard at night if we suspect teeth grinding to be the catalyst for your pain.
Call us today if you’re experiencing severe tooth pain
Give us a call at (402) 488-2383 or fill out our form here to schedule your visit.
Cherry Hill Dentistry, located in Lincoln, NE, provides exceptional general dental and specialty services for our community.
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