There are a lot of reasons someone might experience tooth pain. This is one of the worst types of pain that people experience. There’s nothing like having a pain that stops you from eating, chewing, or talking. We can help you diagnose and treat the cause of your pain. Our Amherst dentist would be happy to have you come in for a free consultation. Give our office a call today to set up your appointment.
Cavities and Infection
Tooth pain caused by a cavity is extremely common. You can get cavities when you do not brush away bacteria from your teeth. That bacteria will eat holes in your enamel. That can cause your tooth to be sensitive to heat, cold, and sweets. It can also make your tooth structure weaker leaving you vulnerable to cracked teeth.
Infection is very easy to get if your tooth cracks. It can be incredibly painful if it cracked enough to expose the nerve. If you think you can see or feel a crack in your tooth, the sooner you get in to see a dentist, the better.
For cavities, we can give you composite fillings to protect the tooth and prevent infection. For cracked teeth, if there is enough structure left that is not dead, you can get a crown. If not, you can get the tooth pulled. If this is a tooth that is visible when you smile or it being missing will change the way you chew, you can explore the possibility of getting a dental implant to close the gap that it left.
Is It an Emergency?
Not every instance of tooth pain can wait to see a dentist. If you are experiencing pain that is getting worse, does not improve with medication, or is accompanied by swelling, you likely have a dental emergency. This can indicate infection.
When you leave these issues untreated, you can cause an abscess in your tooth which can lead to blood poisoning, a fatal condition. The longer you leave your pain unaddressed, the higher risk you have for life-threatening problems.
Let’s say you have a cracked tooth that you can’t see is cracked because it is a molar. That crack can let in bacteria and cause infection. You will likely need a root canal or extraction. You should never wait to call a dentist if you believe this is an emergency.
If you believe that your wisdom teeth are coming in and that is causing pain, you should reach out as soon as possible. The issues that wisdom teeth can cause are serious.
At Home Care
If you are waiting at home to see a dentist for tooth pain, there are some things that you can try to temporarily ease the pain. This should not be a replacement for seeing a dentist.
Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to help relieve some pain. You can also try using clove oil in a cotton ball on the spot where it hurts to help. Some adults even soak a cotton ball in whiskey to numb the gums, but this is not always the safest option.
Avoiding the foods and drinks that worsen your pain will be important for you to minimize the pain you go through while waiting to see a dentist.
Call Our Amherst Dentist Today
If you need to see a dentist for your tooth pain, do not wait to reach out. We want to help you get the treatment you need so you can stop feeling so much pain. Call our Amherst dentist right away to get set up with an appointment. If this is a dental emergency, we can accommodate same-day appointments. Give our office a call and we can help triage you. Don’t stay in pain. Contact us today.
