Duane Kelly
Toothaches are more than just an unpleasant inconvenience: they're also a sign that something is wrong in your mouth. The presence of pain suggests that there's an infection you need to resolve, a crack in a tooth, or a problem with a nerve. Regardless of the cause, it's important to treat dental pain as an emergency. The urgency of your approach should depend on how bad the toothache is and other signs and symptoms.
Know When to Seek Immediate Care
It isn't always necessary to call an emergency dentist for your dental pain. Sometimes you can wait until the next day when your usual dentist is available. However, you should use an emergency dental service in the following scenarios:
Ignoring such signs and symptoms may mean that you're ignoring a severe infection. Such infections have the potential to become systemic and may cause conditions such as sepsis.
Managing Dental Pain at Home
When you choose to wait until the next day to see a dentist, there are ways you can make yourself comfortable. They include:
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or you have an underlying health condition, always speak with a medical or dental professional before using medication.
Avoid Doing Anything That Makes Pain Worse
Certain actions can make dental pain worse. In some cases, those actions may also worsen the cause of your pain. They include:
You should also avoid delaying dental treatment, even if the pain gets better. Dental pain temporarily improving is a sign that the nerve endings are dying. It may be the case that your infection is worsening and the symptoms will come back with a vengeance.
Finally, if you're in doubt as to what steps you should take, always speak to a dentist. They can perform an assessment over the phone and let you know what to do next.
If you have a toothache, talk with a dentist.
You may have heard that cavities and oral decay are linked to things like heart disease, and, in fact, your oral health affects your entire body. Hi! My name is Brenda, and I like to look at things holistically. Because of that, I created this blog. I plan for its posts to look at the link between dental issues and other health issues. I hope that the people who visit this blog learn a few tips about oral care as well as gaining a deeper understanding of why it's so important. Healthy smiles indicate a healthy body, and I hope this blog helps you achieve both!