Toothaches are your body’s way of telling you that there’s a problem. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, fever, headache, bad breath, or even drainage if the tooth is infected. While some toothaches may be short-lived, others will linger until the problem is resolved.
It’s our job to determine the root cause of your toothache. Dr. Bassford is trusted among her patients and peers to diagnose and treat your dental issues with precision and care, so you can enjoy your days free of tooth pain.
Causes of Toothaches
There are several causes of toothaches — some problems even come from different parts of the body. For example, a change in hormones can lead to increased blood flow to the gums and cause gum sensitivity. Stress can cause you to grind your teeth, resulting in temporomandibular joint disorder, also called TMD.
Other causes for toothaches include:
- Tooth decay
- Broken tooth
- Infected gums
- Chewing gum
- Damaged filling
- Abscessed tooth
When to See Your Dentist
While not every toothache warrants a trip to the dentist, you should know when it’s time so that you can put an end to the pain and restore your oral health. You should see your dentist for a toothache if:
- Pain has lasted longer than 1 to 2 days
- Pain is severe
- You have a fever, earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide
- You have swelling or red gums
- You have discharge or pus coming from your tooth or gums
What to Expect During Your Appointment
During your appointment, Dr. Bassford will examine your oral health and she may take diagnostic tests, such as an x-ray, to get a closer look at your teeth and gums. She’ll ask you about the details of your toothache such as the location, severity, and what makes the pain better or worse.
Once she determines the diagnosis, Dr. Bassford will create a customized treatment plan to solve your pain and restore your oral health. Although some patients fear going to the dentist, living with the pain typically makes the problem worse.
Severe tooth pain can be considered a dental emergency. If that’s the case, we’ll want to get you in sooner so we can prevent further damage. Give our office a call and let our knowledgeable staff know the details and we’ll help you decide what to do next.
Put an End to Your Toothache
Toothaches are hard to ignore and they can make you miserable, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Contact our office to schedule an appointment by calling (301) 593-5500. We’ll solve the problem and put your oral health back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes accidents happen and not all toothaches are preventable. However, by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing between meals, you can prevent a number of toothaches.
In addition to following regular oral hygiene, you’ll want to schedule biannual appointments at our Silver Spring office so we can perform a thorough cleaning and examination.
This will rid your mouth of plaque and tartar that lead to tooth decay. During these appointments, we can catch any issues before they become problematic and require more invasive procedures.
There are various ways you can attempt to remedy your pain at home, including:
- A saltwater rinse
- Hydrogen peroxide rinse
- Cold Compress
- Ibuprofen
- Garlic
- Vanilla extract
These treatments may help mask the symptoms temporarily, but if the problem persists longer than 1 to 2 days, you’ll want to contact our office to schedule an appointment by calling (301) 593-5500. We’ll help put an end to your toothache.
Here are a few ways to reduce the pain so you can sleep:
- Keep your head elevated
- Avoid eating acidic, cold, or hard foods before bed
- Use a mouthwash
- Apply a cold compress
If you can’t sleep through the night because your pain is severe, give us a call and we’ll help you on your road to recovery.
The ER rarely has dentists on staff to treat specific issues related to your oral health. They may prescribe antibiotics or pain relievers to help the problem temporarily, but they’re not specialists in the field. They’ll typically refer you to see a dentist following your visit.
However, if you have a cut that won’t stop bleeding, you’ll want to go to the emergency room for stitches. In the meantime, you can control the bleeding with gauze or a compress.