What Causes Toothache?

There are many reasons you would be feeling pain in your tooth, and the pain can become unbearable if left untreated. Trauma to your teeth can cause tooth pain, but many toothaches are the result of tooth decay. Whether this is superficial tooth decay or the beginning of gum disease, if the toothache persists, you should see a dentist. Some of the most common causes of tooth pain are an infection, teeth grinding, and gum disease. The pain isn’t the only thing that can be accompanied by these problems, and you may experience other symptoms as well. If your toothache is accompanied with a fever, foul taste, discharge, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling, you should contact Samaritan Dental right away to get help from the best dental clinic in Los Angeles. For minor toothaches, or for one that is not accompanied by other symptoms, try some of these home remedies to relieve the pain.

How to Get Rid of Toothaches

Everyone has his or her own remedies for tooth pain and depending on how bad it is, one of these may be able to help you.

The application method – just like any other injury we sustain, our first thought is to use a hot or cold pack to help it. This is the same thing that can be done for tooth pain. Depending on what is most comfortable, and which one relieves the pain, try applying something hot or cold to the area. There are many different household items you can use instead of a hot or cold pack if you do not have one readily available. Try frozen bags of vegetables, ice cubes in a Ziploc bag, or microwaving rice. The cold application is helpful when there is swelling near the painful area to reduce the inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory medication – another useful way to reduce inflammation is to take over the counter pain relievers. Ibuprofen is effective and will help you manage the pain, as well as reduce swelling. It is always recommended to try natural remedies before resorting to medication unless instructed by your dentist.

Saltwater – using hot water with salt added not only feels good but also will help mitigate the risk of infection. By swishing salt water near the affected area for 30 seconds, you can provide temporary relief as well as clean out any infectious areas that may be forming.

Natural oils and remedies – both peppermint and clove have numbing properties and have been used for generations to help manage pain. A good at home remedy would be to place a peppermint tea bag on the affected tooth or use clove oil. Although these are great natural alternatives, the effects can be short-lived, and may not fully relieve the pain. Some people also claim that garlic and vanilla extract is helpful in this manner, so go ahead and give these a shot.

Toothache Remedies from Your Dental Clinic in Los Angeles

If these remedies do not help, or the pain worsens or persists, be sure to get professional help right away. Toothaches that are left unattended can become much more problematic, and cause irreparable or long-term damage. Samaritan Dental is a premier dental clinic in Los Angeles that will be able to diagnose and treat any tooth disease or trauma that you have. Get relief today by contacting us here!

It might start out as a mild irritation but if left untreated, a toothache can lead to much more serious health issues, including infections in other areas of the face and possibly even in the bloodstream. Read on to learn more about what can cause a toothache, what symptoms to look for, as well as treatment options and prevention tips.

For more information on preventative and emergency dentistry, contact the top Los Angeles Dentist, Samaritan Dental Arts.

What Can Cause a Toothache?

There are several minor and potentially major causes of a toothache. You might experience minor pain from repetitive motions like constantly chewing gum or even grinding your teeth while you sleep. If you have neglected your dental health, you may develop a toothache from decay, infected gums, an abscessed tooth, a damaged filling or even a tooth fracture.

At first, you might notice some redness or even slight pain when you chew or when pressure is applied to the tooth. In severe cases, the pain could be constant and throbbing, there might be swelling around the affected area, you could experience a headache or fever and you could even have an awful tasting substance draining from the infected area. You should immediately see a dental professional if you experience severe pain for more than a couple of days or if you have a fever, ear ache or severe pain when you open your mouth.

Treatment Options

It is so important to see a dental professional if you are experiencing severe tooth pain. Don’t ignore the signs or you could suffer greater health issues if the infection spreads to your blood stream or other areas of your body.

A dentist will check your medical history and need to know when and how the pain began. Based on your medical history and the answers to your health questions, they can then examine your mouth and check your teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, throat, sinuses, ears, nose and neck. They may also take X-rays to get a better look at what could be causing your pain.

Treatment options will vary depending on the cause and the severity of the pain. In severe cases, if the infection has spread and you are suffering from a fever or swelling, an antibiotic will need to be prescribed. If a simple cavity is the issue, the dentist will fill it or possibly extract the tooth if necessary. If the nerve of the tooth is infected, you might need a root canal.

Prevention Tips

The first line of defense is really to maintain good oral hygiene on a regular basis. Most tooth pain begins with tooth decay so make sure you are brushing and flossing daily, regularly rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash, and visiting your dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned and examined.

If you suffer from tooth pain or any other dental issue, contact the professionals at Samaritan Dental Arts. They are open on Saturdays and offer evening appointments. You can easily schedule an appointment online. You can also fill out the necessary forms, meet the team of professionals and view a complete list of services. They offer flexible payment options and a caring staff ready to help ease your fears.

Los Angeles Dentist

Don’t take your dental health for granted and don’t ignore that toothache. It might seem like a minor inconvenience now, but if left untreated, you could develop a serious infection that could impact your overall health. If you’ve neglected your oral health and haven’t seen a dentist in years, don’t wait another day. Make your appointment with the top Los Angeles dentist, Samaritan Dental Arts today.

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Getting Rid of a Toothache