You may not realize it, but February 9 is National Toothache Day. No one wants to celebrate dental discomfort – but it’s a great time to remind you of all the ways we can stop a toothache. 

The most important thing is to get help ASAP. If you wait, you risk your problem becoming worse. If you’re in pain, we’ll do our absolute best to see you on the same day. Call 561-566-5476 today for an appointment. 

In the meantime, see some of the ways we can help you – along with the best ways to relieve discomfort until you can see us. No matter which treatment you need, you can receive soothing sedation if needed. 

We’ll End Your Toothache Pain

We will examine you to identify the toothache cause and then:

  • Mend Cavities – A cavity can cause a toothache. Depending on the extent of the decay, your dentist will fix your cavity with a tooth-colored filling or a crown. Either repair will restore comfortable oral function and stop damage from getting worse. 
  • Repair Cracks or Breaks – A crown can also be used to mend cracked or broken teeth. 
  • Eliminate Infection – If damage isn’t repaired promptly, it can allow bacteria to get inside your tooth. This can cause a severe toothache, and it also threatens the integrity of your smile. Your dentist can remove the infection with a root canal procedure. This stops the pain and allows you to keep your tooth in place. This is typically preferable to an extraction, as your recovery is easier and more comfortable. You also won’t have to worry about replacing a tooth that has been removed. 
  • Extract Damaged Teeth – In some cases, removing a tooth is simply the best option. The good news is, you can replace your tooth with a dental implant for a feel and function almost exactly like a natural tooth. Or you can choose a dental bridge, instead.
  • Address a Grinding Issue – Grinding teeth can cause dental pain and damage. Fortunately, we can fit you for a custom-made mouthguard that you can wear at night to stop this behavior. 

How to Deal With a Toothache at Home

Of course, we don’t want you to suffer until you can visit our Boca Raton office. Three of the best options for easing your pain at home are applying Ice, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, or using a topical agent. 

An ice pack can reduce any swelling and numb pain. Apply ice to your cheek or face, though, not to the tooth itself. Chances are, your tooth may be highly sensitive to temperature extremes. 

You can also take aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. And applying a topical anesthetic like Orajel can help. They contain a numbing agent called benzocaine. Clove oil is a natural alternative that can also be applied directly to your tooth. 

3 Ways to Protect Yourself From Toothache

Luckily, good oral hygiene and common sense go a long way toward preventing a toothache from ever happening. Follow our recommendations:

  • Brush and Floss Every Day – You may get tired of hearing this advice. But the truth is, it’s the single most important thing you can do to stop dental problems like cavities and gum disease. 
  • See Us Every 6 Months for a Cleaning – As important as brushing and flossing are, they need to be supplemented with professional cleanings every six months. When plaque and bacteria are missed at home, they harden into a disease-causing substance called tartar that can only be removed by professional equipment. 
  • Don’t Use Teeth as Tools – Teeth are not tools, and they should never be used that way. Never open packages – or anything else – with your teeth. In addition, don’t crunch on hard substances like popcorn kernels, ice, or fingernails. And be careful when eating food that contains a bone or bones. 

Need to stop a toothache? Call Wolf Schwartz Dentistry at 561-566-5476.