Best Painkiller

Why do I have toothache?

There could be any number of different reasons why your teeth hurt, from a simple sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, to the serious stages of decay and gum disease. The type of pain, the condition of your teeth and your dental history will all have an effect on how your mouth feels on a daily basis. If you have had a recent fall or accident that has injured your mouth, you might need to see the emergency dentist – severe dental trauma is not something you should ignore, it can get very painful and difficult to treat in a short space of time. That said, most toothache is caused by the central nervous system of the tooth reacting to a negative change, the pain is there to let you know that something is wrong and you need to get it looked at. If you have ongoing dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease, you are probably familiar with the dull pain of toothache, but things like this will eventually rot the teeth away to nothing and can cause infection to spread to other parts of the body if it is not dealt with accordingly.

Any superficial cracks or fractures might not immediately react with a painful toothache, but they can cause further reaching problems by exposing the pulp to bacteria lurking in the mouth, so it’s best to have them assessed as soon as you can. If the fissure is very deep it’s likely that you will have noticed the pain immediately and be aware that a trip to the dentist is in order, this is because the root and nerves are unprotected and even gentle contact can be excruciating.

How can I avoid toothache?

Good oral hygiene is the first and best way you can avoid general toothache, and stay away from any food or drink you know triggers pain – such as sugary soft drinks or cold desserts. Some toothpastes can help with ongoing sensitivity, they work by rebuilding the worn enamel to protect the nerve endings that have been exposed to extreme temperatures.
Unfortunately, if you have suffered an accident or surgery that has gone wrong, there’s little you can do yourself to avoid the pain associated with dental trauma. Make an appointment with the emergency dentist straight away – especially if you have broken or knocked out a tooth.

For other types of jaw or gum problems that don’t appear to have an obvious cause, give the staff at the Pearl Dental Clinic a call, they’ll be able to diagnose the problem and start a course of treatment to alleviate the pain.

Can painkillers help?

As there is a list of things you should do when you have toothache, equally there is a list of things that you shouldn’t do – it’s a good idea to know a bit about both before you try some pain relief.

Non-Steroid Anti Inflammatory’s or NSAID’s are the most effective way of dealing with toothache, mainly because they are good at dulling the pain, but also because they help reduce any swelling – which is a major source of pain where toothache is concerned. The pressure on the nerves and tissues in the mouth is what causes the ache, which can spread to the head and neck through the adjoining muscles. Other types of painkillers, such as paracetamol or aspirin, can help with the pain but not with the tenderness and swelling – generally the source of the toothache. In most circumstances, it’s not advisable to put aspirin or other pain relief tablets directly onto the tooth, the ingredients in aspirin are too strong for the delicate soft tissues and will more than likely burn the skin and cause more discomfort, stick to swallowing the pills, avoid direct contact.

Mild toothaches can be alleviated with use of numbing gels or creams, they contain a small amount of anaesthetic, so they won’t help with severe cases, but they are good for temporary relief. Dental gels like Bonjela are marketed for mouth ulcers but contain some antiseptic ingredients that can serve to fight minor infections and numb any tenderness. However, if the pain occurs regularly you’re only real choice is to get to the dentist, don’t rely on over the counter medication to help with ongoing problems. Whatever you do, don’t attempt any procedures on yourself, oldwives tales and home remedies for dental problems are unlikely to make you feel any better.

What if I can’t get to the dentist right away?

If you’re waiting for an appointment or you have to travel to get to the surgery, there are a few simple things you can try to relieve the pain in the interim. Discomfort from a cavity or tooth decay might lessen somewhat if you rinse your mouth out with a warm water salt solution. Follow this with a dab of oil of cloves, an ointment that’s known for its soothing qualities, which should help with the swelling and reduce pressure.

If you’re experiencing a throbbing toothache, you’re being warned that something is severely amiss, this type of pain is usually triggered by nerve damage of some kind and a root canal may be in order. Whilst waiting to see a dentist, try remaining upright as you sleep, it stops fluid gathering in the damaged area and can alleviate the ache a little. However, it can’t be stressed enough that a tooth in this condition is only going to get worse if you don’t seek treatment. Avoid sugary drinks and food at very hot or cold temperatures, and don’t put any unnecessary pressure on your teeth or you’ll be subject to sudden, sharp bursts of pain that even the best painkillers will struggle to deal with. Toothache is not a symptom that you should put up with on a regular basis, and the likelihood is that the situation will deteriorate rapidly without treatment, so don’t let your teeth rot away when there may be a simple procedure your dentist can perform to leave you pain-free.