Hi, I'm Dr. Perry from Farmington Family Dental. I get a lot of questions about tooth pain, how to deal with it, and what you should do if you get a toothache. I'm going to answer some of those questions today in this video. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to us. We'd love to help you.
How can I stop tooth pain fast?
How can you stop tooth pain when it starts? Before I answer that specific question, let me address a separate question. Tooth pain comes in two different types, each requiring a different type of intervention. The first type is sensitivity, like pain with hot or cold. It never hurts for no reason; hot and cold are usually the triggers. You can find an oil called eugenol at the store or on Amazon. This tree oil is often used for pain. You may need to dilute it when you use it, but applying eugenol directly to the tooth usually soothes sensitivity pain within a couple of minutes. However, you should see a dentist because there's probably something wrong that needs to be addressed. The second type of pain is throbbing, aching pain, which usually gets worse when you lay down or bend over. It feels like a drumbeat or pressure that matches your heartbeat. This one is particularly nasty because it's tough to sleep with a pounding headache or toothache. Usually, the best route for this type of pain is a round of antibiotics. You can get antibiotics by seeing a dentist, your primary care doctor, or urgent care. I recommend the dentist because we can help solve the problem rather than just treating the symptom. Anytime antibiotics are started, they usually hold the pain at bay for about 30 days, but when the pain returns, it can be worse. Within that time frame, the root of the problem needs to be taken care of. Come see the dentist.
What is the longest-lasting solution for tooth pain?
What's the longest-lasting solution for tooth pain? The dentist. By that, I mean coming in regularly to see the dentist every six months. As small problems arise, we'll take care of them. As problems get bigger, we address them. Some people ask if they can deal with this at home. There are a number of products, especially marketed on Facebook, that claim to cure cavities at home. There is limited use for that. It can be done in limited cases, but in most cases where you're already experiencing sensitivity, it needs professional work. Using off-the-shelf remedies typically relieves some symptoms, but the core problem remains and worsens. That solution will eventually stop working, and by that point, a root canal or tooth extraction may be needed. A much better outcome could have been achieved by visiting the dentist. Usually, when I see people using home remedies, it's because they're afraid of the dentist. If that is you, give me a call. I am happy to help. There are ways to address anxiety or fear. It's about understanding who you are and what you need as a person instead of being just another patient. We would love to see you and help you get taken care of.
What are some common non-dental reasons for tooth pain?
Sometimes tooth pain isn't actually tooth pain. It feels like it's in that area, but it's not always from there. The most common non-dental sources of pain in this area are earaches and sinus infections. Earaches can cause pain to travel down the lower or upper jaw. Sinus infections build up pressure, similar to a toothache, and the two can be confused. Lastly, although I have yet to see it in my career, tooth pain on your lower left can indicate a heart problem, especially in women, but also in men. This can be a significant early warning of a heart attack. These are probably the three most common causes of pain that's not actually dental.
Is it normal to experience tooth pain after some dental procedures?
After dental procedures, is it going to hurt? Is it painful? I'm going to level with you. Nothing in dentistry is done perfectly. When we put a crown or filling on, we aim to create a 100% seal. However, just like sending your kids to clean up the kitchen, there are varying degrees of how well that seal happens. The better it is, the better off you are. There are some mechanical reasons why things can be sensitive. One of the most common problems after having a tooth-colored dental filling done, for example, is sensitivity to hot, cold, or chewing. This happens because the nerve inside the tooth is very sensitive to irritation. Usually, that sensitivity will die down if given enough time, but sometimes it doesn't. If you're noticing that sensitivity is increasing, it needs to be addressed. If it's staying steady or slowly declining, we usually take a more hands-off approach. I hope this video has been very helpful in answering some of your questions about tooth pain. We'd love to help you address your problem. If you need somewhere to go, our phone number is 573-756-5760. I'm Dr. Perry from Farmington Family Dental, and it would be a pleasure to help you with anything you have going on.