What Should I Do If I Have a Painful Toothache?

Toothaches can stop you in your tracks, forcing you to change your plans as you desperately seek relief from the, sometimes intense, pain. Sipping cold water, biting down while eating, or all of a sudden with seemingly no cause can trigger a significant amount of pain in your mouth. Taking an over-the-counter pain killer or rinsing your mouth with salt water can bring relief to your tooth pain. But understanding the underlying cause and knowing when to seek professional help is crucial so that you are not left in unmanageable pain as well as with permanent damage due to an unattended toothache. What should I do if I have a painful toothache? Make an appointment with your dentist at the first signs of mouth pain. Your pain may be manageable, allowing you to wait for your appointment. But if the pain can not be suppressed, you may need to seek emergency dental care.

Causes of pain

Tooth pain can vary and a dull throb or consistent sharp, stabbing pain can often give you a clue as to what is causing the toothache in the first place. Knowing the cause of the pain can also help you identify whether or not your toothache is a dental emergency.

Pain caused by:

  • A cavity has sharp pain when you drink hot or cold liquids, pain when you bite down, or pain can be spontaneous.
  • General tooth sensitivity has pain when consuming hot and cold liquids from receding or inflamed gums.
  • An abscess or infection has a sharp or throbbing pain and can include radiating pain to the jaw and neck.
  • A cracked tooth has pain from biting or chewing especially on the release of the bite.
  • A sinus infection can also have throbbing or sharp pain and can affect one or more teeth at a time.

Signs of emergency

A dental emergency when it comes to toothaches should never be ignored or delayed. Signs of emergency include:

  • Bleeding gums that won’t stop
  • A damaged adult, permanent tooth
  • Severe or increasing pain that affects eating and sleep

Call for Advice

If you simply can not determine the cause of your toothache or have increased stress trying to decide if it is an emergency, you can always call and ask your friendly dental office for advice. They will be prepared to ask you a few questions that will help you determine if you should seek emergency dental care for your toothache.

 

Regardless of whether it is an emergency or not, promptly making an appointment with a dentist is still very important. Tooth pain does not simply go away even if the pain is intermittent. Any tooth pain can be a warning of a more serious dental issue and it is always a good idea to have your teeth and gums assessed by a professional.

If you are living in St. Augustine, FL, and have a painful toothache, do not hesitate to call Dental Remedies today! Dr. Singh and her friendly staff are prepared to put your mind at ease and provide you with relief and a solution to your painful toothache.

We can’t wait to meet you

Call 904-440-0200 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.