Toothaches in Lakewood
How to Cope with Tooth Pain
There are few things as annoying as a toothache. The pain can distract you from work, make it impossible for you to enjoy your favorite foods, and cause you to worry that there might be a serious problem with your oral health. Our team is ready to help you find fast relief! Dr. Artino's compassionate touch and expert treatment will get your smile back to feeling its best in no time. On this page, you will learn more about toothaches, what they might mean, and how you can cope with them, but if you want to speak to someone about your situation, please call our office.
Types of Toothaches
A toothache is not an oral health problem. Rather, it is a symptom. Different types of pain typically point to distinct issues. For example:
- Severe, throbbing pain usually indicates an infection in the pulp of a tooth. This is considered an urgent situation and requires prompt treatment from your emergency dentist in Lakewood.
- A dull, persistent ache may mean that you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), or that something is stuck in your gums or between your teeth.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures could be due to worn enamel, a traumatic tooth injury, bruxism, or other factors.
- Sharp, intermittent pain might indicate that a crown or filling has fallen off your tooth, leaving it vulnerable to outside stimuli. It could also mean that a new spot of decay has developed.
Home Care for Toothaches
The first step you should take to deal with your toothache is to give us a call and schedule an emergency appointment. Before you get to our office, however, you may be able to do some things at home to mitigate your pain:
- Avoid chewing with the tooth to the extent possible
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
- Do not consume anything extremely hot or cold
- Apply clove oil to the tooth and gums that hurt
- Floss around the tooth to see if you can dislodge anything that is stuck
- Swish with a warm saltwater solution
How Your Dentist Can Help
When you arrive for your emergency appointment, we will carefully examine your teeth and possibly take some X-rays to determine the cause of your pain. Then, we will talk to you about your treatment possibilities. You might simply need a filling or crown to protect a damaged tooth. In some cases, root canal therapy is the best course of action because it can provide fast pain relief and may save the tooth from extraction. However, in some cases, extraction is the best way to end tooth pain. If one of our dentists recommends you have a tooth removed, we will also discuss your options for replacing the tooth.
Don’t let your toothache hijack your life! Contact our team to request an appointment so we can provide you with fast, efficient, and effective emergency dental care.