subject: Know What To Expect To Relieve The Ache With Common Toothache Tips From Your Dentist [print this page] This fall season, children are excited for Halloween and trick-or-treating, but eating candy and other sugars may lead to a toothache. Sugary candy can lead to tooth decay, but that does not mean you need to eliminate candy consumption altogether. A toothache can be shattering, and all you want to do is stop the pain immediately. If you do experience a toothache, it is important to understand ways that can relieve a toothache, at least temporarily until you get around to visiting your dentist.
What Not to Do
It is important to establish what you should not do first, because some of the old wives tales that come along with toothache remedies can not only leave you with worse pain, but also cause permanent damage. Don't put aspirin directly on the cavity. Some people say that it works, but one thing is that aspirin can actually continue to burn at your tooth enamel. While you may get temporary relief from your toothache, you may eventually have greater pain once the cavity, aided by the use of aspirin, spreads to the root of your tooth. So, be cautious and avoid applying aspirin directly to your aching tooth.
Additionally, do no put salt in your tooth. The logic behind this wives tale is that is dehydrates the bacteria and will cause them to die and leave you with relief. This is wrong. Bacteria will die, but if that grain of salt has any kind of direct contact with an exposed nerve for any reason, you will be in agony. Raw, open nerves and salt simply do not mix well together. You are better off swishing concentrated salt solution in your mouth if you must use salt. Simply put, however, avoid salt.
Types of Toothaches and What they Might Mean
There are various types of toothaches, each of which may mean something significantly different. Evaluation and diagnosis by your dentist can help to properly determine the type of toothache you are suffering from, and its source. Sensitivity to cold may denote gum recession, enamel loss from over-brushing or aging, wear and tear or a small dental cavity. On the other hand, sensitivity to heat may also signify a small cavity, but it could be the result of an abscess, crack or severe decay.
If one or more of your teeth is affected by a chronic toothache, nerve damage may be the cause of your pain. Nerve damage may result from teeth grinding, severe tooth decay or trauma to the teeth through injury. In addition, intense, throbbing pain, sometimes accompanied by a swollen face, is often a sign of an infection or abscess as a cause of your toothache.
Additionally, if you are experiencing pain in the back of your jaw, it may be associated with impacted wisdom teeth (back molars). However, it could also be a sign of TMD, or teeth grinding, both of which cause jaw pain, and pain throughout other facial bone areas.
Toothaches range in severity, particularly in terms of tooth sensitivity and pain levels. An intermittent toothache may seem little more than an occasional bother, while a chronic toothache may prompt you to take immediate action. Regardless of the type, your toothache should be evaluated by your dentist in Radcliff through an oral health examination. Don't ignore the pain, seek treatment now.
