I Have A Toothache! What Should I do?
Palo Alto, CA
Dental Services in Palo Alto provided by Dr. Sharma , Dr. Lin , and Dr. Cheong at Palo Alto Oral Health
 If you are experiencing any kind of oral pain, come in and see us right away. You may need to put up with some discomfort until you can come in to see us, though there are some things you can do to reduce the pain.
Causes of Tooth Aches
Pain is the body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Dental pain is a sign that you have a problem in the mouth that you need to be addressed. While we need to address the problem, it is important to first look for any possible causes. Dental pain has many different causes, such as infected gums, damaged fillings, fractured teeth, tooth decay, and abscessed teeth.
Tooth Abscesses
A tooth abscess occurs when an infection creates pocket of pus in a tooth. Tooth abscess can lead to critical health problems, including tooth loss and loss of the bone supporting the tooth. Bacterial infections can spread to the rest of the body in certain instances, resulting in hospitalization. Dire results lie ahead if we don’t get you treated right away for a dental abscess.
Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth
If you have any of the following symptoms of a tooth abscess, you will need emergency treatment:
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Throbbing pain
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Salty taste or uncomfortable feeling in the mouth
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Swelling in the jaw or face
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Fever
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Gums are red or swollen
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Red, swollen bumps in the mouth
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Pus or blood |
Regardless of the cause or intensity of your pain, we urge you to come into our office so our doctors can perform an evaluation. These complications will get worse the longer we leave them alone.
Reducing Pain for Tooth Aches
If you think a fracture or cavity caused the tooth ache, there are some things you can do to reduce the pain before you come in for your appointment.
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Apply a cold pack to the side of your face to diminish discomfort. Place a piece of cloth between the ice pack and your face, or else you may damage the skin.
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Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen will help with the pain. Take the medication once every few hours, based on what the product label says. Don’t stop taking the medication once the pain stops or it may return. |
Preventing Tooth Aches
Preventing tooth aches is better than having to treat them. By carefully brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, you can prevent tooth decay and other problems that lead to tooth aches. Also strive to eat a healthy and balanced diet, minimizing foods and drinks that are sugary or sticky. Don’t chew hard objects like pens or ice and avoid using your teeth as tools, as this can cause fracturing and chipping.
Finally, come in for dental check-ups and cleanings once every six months. During these appointments, we will examine your teeth for dental problems and treat them before they worsen into painful issues that need expensive treatment.
For more information, please contact our office at (650) 321-9693.
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