How to get rid of a tooth ache – top tips from dental professionals

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 30% of individuals aged from 18-64 have suffered from toothaches or sensitive teeth at some stage of their life. Toothaches are an extremely common dental issue, and as such it is important to know all there is to know to ensure proper treatment!

Toothaches can stem from the tooth itself or surrounding structure. Common symptoms of toothache are sharp, throbbing or constant pain, swelling around the tooth or even a fever. Although there are many home remedies, they do not address the cause of the issue and may only provide temporary symptomatic relief rather than permanent cure.

What are some home remedies for tooth aches?

Everyone experiences toothaches differently and the cause of a toothache is widely varied. It is recommended that if you have a toothache to come into Green Valley Dental for a examination and advice on how best to cope or deal with a toothache. To control the pain in the meantime, you can swish some warm salt water around in your mouth, or use ice to reduce pain and swelling.

What procedures are for tooth ache relief?

As mentioned, each unique toothache case is different. Procedures used to operate on a toothache may include cleans, fillings, root canals, crowns or extractions, depending on the situation.

Are there any preventative measures for a tooth ache?

A toothache is caused predominantly by decay or trauma. To reduce the risk of trauma we advised using a custom fit mouthguard when playing contact sports. To reduce the risk of decay we recommend bi-annual dental checks and cleans, flossing regularly and brushing your teeth in the morning and at night.

Recommendations for diet changes or how to better clean your teeth will be provided if we see something during your bi-annual check up. Some diet based changes that may reduce the likelihood of an individual developing toothache include reducing your consumption of sugars and acids. Examples of such foods and drinks to steer clear of if trying to avoid toothache include ice creams, coffee and sticky candy. Some more surprising foods to avoid include dried fruits, citrus fruits and tomatoes. This is mainly due to their highly acidic nature.

Do I need ongoing treatment for a toothache?

In some cases, ongoing treatment is necessary. Your dentist can give you more of an indication for your unique situation when you come in for an appointment. Here is a story from one of our dentist, who had a patient that required ongoing treatment:

“One of the most unfortunate toothache stories I have is from a patient who came in for a routine check up and I noted a crack on one of his teeth.

I recommended he have it investigated because it had been causing pain on and off for a time. After investigation, he had a temporary filling placed and he was advised to get a crown, which would be a long term solution.

Due to the pain subsiding, he left the temporary filling and rejected the suggested crown. After 6 months he returned, the tooth had split along the crack line and there was no way it could be saved.

The most common story I hear is where a patient leaves decay for too long and it enters the nerve and needs a root canal to save it. Being thorough with initial toothache treatment is one of the best ways to prevent ongoing damage.”

Toothache treatment at Green Valley Dental

We advise any patients experiencing toothaches to come in for a consultation so that we can more accurately assess their unique situation. Call us on 1300 785 592 or book your free consultation through our website.