What To Do If You Have A Toothache
Is your mouth hurting? Wondering what’s going on and how to make it stop? Toothaches are often caused by dental problems like cavities, cracked teeth, gum disease, or TMJ issues. Sometimes this pain will temporarily subside and may cause you to falsely believe that the worst is behind you. However, nine times out of ten the pain eventually returns — only much worse than before.
Don’t ignore a toothache. Contact us in Escondido, CA right away if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- Sudden and sharp pain in your face and mouth
- Dull throbbing pain in your mouth, face, jaw, or ears
- Pain aggravated by chewing, cold, or heat
- Discomfort or bleeding when brushing or flossing
What Causes A Toothache?
You likely have some guesses about why your mouth is in pain, but there’s only one way to know for sure — talking to a dentist. A thorough dental examination, including 3D x-rays, will determine whether the toothache is coming from a single tooth, multiple teeth, gum issues, or a jaw problem. Once we’ve determined where the pain is originating, we can investigate the cause.
Tooth pain can be caused by a wide range of issues including:
- Cavity
- Broken tooth
- Tooth infection
- Loose crown
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Improper filling
- Gum disease
- TMJ disorder
- Bruxism
As you get ready for your appointment, try these limited and temporary toothache remedies:
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater
- Use a cold compress for 20 minutes
- Place a warm, wet tea bag against the problem tooth
Remember — toothache home remedies are meant to provide temporary relief. Always work with your dentist to coordinate the best long-term solution.
Toothache Treatments
Treating tooth pain is dependent on the issue you’re facing. Common treatments include a filling, dental crown, dental implant, and wisdom tooth extraction. Whatever treatment you need, our office offers a variety of high-tech equipment and diagnostic tools to ensure you receive the best care.
For example, Cone Beam CT (CBCT) technology provides our dentists with a 3D picture of what’s going on in your mouth. CBCT scans use a very low radiation dose and are incredibly helpful in diagnosing the source of a toothache, including identifying cracked teeth, infections, wisdom teeth, TMJ issues, and more.