Treating Toothaches

Never ignore a toothache. If your tooth hurts, even intermittently, call your dentist so he can do a full exam and diagnose the cause. A toothache is almost never a sign of something serious, but it is a sign something is wrong. If left untreated, your toothache and the condition that is causing it can become worse.

In the Meantime

Treat the pain and inflammation until you can get in to see your dentist.

• Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to dislodge any trapped food particles
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• Apply a topical dental pain reliever containing benzocaine directly to the tooth and gum
• Soak a piece of gauze with oil of clove (eugenol) and apply directly on the sore area
• Take a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine, if your pain is due to sinus congestion

When a Toothache Is an Emergency

Seek emergency treatment if you experience any of these symptoms with your toothache.

• Swelling in your face or jaw. The infection could be worsening or spreading.
• Chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, or other signs of a heart attack
• Wheezing, a lingering cough, or coughing up blood, which may be signs of lung cancer

Treatment

• Your Eagan dentist will look for the location and cause of a toothache and check for signs of swelling, redness and obvious tooth damage.
• If decay is causing your toothache, your dentist will drill away the decay and fill the cavity.
• If your tooth has progressed to an infection, treatment will likely be root canal or extraction. Antiobiotics may be administered for an infection.
• An impacted tooth may require surgical removal.
• If the dentist can’t find the cause of your toothache, you may receive a recommendation to see your doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.

6. Be sure to eat healthy as you are what you eat!

How Tartar is Removed?

How do dentists remove tartar? They will slowly scrap this off your teeth in order to remove this. They will get under the gum line in places if need be. The goal is to remove all of this tartar so that it does not cause permanent issues to your teeth, gums and overall oral health. This is not a painful procedure, just time consuming for most if there is a real tartar problem.

This is why you must remember to visit your dentist every 6 months. If you were to wait, you are going to find that the tartar could become worse, causing even more issues for the person.