Dental Health: Toothaches hurt; here’s how to avoid them — and what to do if you are experiencing one

By Shelley Shearer, D.M.D
Special to NKyTribune

Toothaches are just plain miserable. They are painful, make eating difficult and can spread to other parts of the face and skull, the sinuses and even to the bloodstream. If you experience noticeable facial swelling, it’s a sign that infection is setting in. Seek emergency assistance.

See your dentist as soon as possible if:

 The pain is severe
 You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide
 You have difficulty breathing or swallowing
 There’s swelling around the tooth area
 You experience pain when you bite
 There’s a foul-tasting discharge or uncommonly bad breath

What Causes a Toothache?

Tooth decay is often the primary culprit for a toothache as the decay reaches the inner layer of a tooth. Other causes of a toothache can also include:

Improper Brushing or Flossing

Do you brush and floss your teeth too hard? This results in irritated, inflamed, and bleeding gums. If extreme pressure like this is constant, it can cause gums to recede and make teeth unstable, resulting in unwanted pain.

Misaligned Teeth or Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Teeth move easier than many think, pressing against others and pushing them out of line. This results in aches and pains. Wisdom teeth that have failed to break through the gum line can also be extremely painful as they fester below the gum line and sometimes push against adjacent teeth.

Teeth Grinding, or Bruxism

This is a common reason for tooth, jaw, neck, and related muscle pain. Excessive teeth grinding involves violently clenching the jaw and grinding the top and bottom teeth back and forth against each other. This causes pain in teeth and joints as well as headaches. Sometimes dentists make a mouthguard to wear while sleeping to alleviate pain.

Gum Disease

The signs of gum disease can be a dull pain in the mouth; red, bleeding gums; and also sometimes tooth pain. The oral bone and gums become inflamed. If left untreated, teeth, gums, and bones could be damaged or lost, leading to surgery to alleviate infection. If you notice pus near the source of the pain, your gum may have become abscessed, causing the surrounding bone to become infected.

Temperature Sensitivity

If you experience sharp tooth pain when you eat or drink something that is cold or hot, this can mean that your tooth enamel has worn down and your tooth’s dentin (the layer where the tooth’s nerves lie) is exposed.

Damaged Fillings or Dental Sealants

Dental fillings that cover deep pits, grooves, or fractures in teeth often protect vulnerable parts of the tooth. When these protectants are damaged, the sensitive parts of teeth are exposed to extreme temperatures, food particles, and bacteria. This can cause intense pain. If you have a damaged filling, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Tooth Fractures

Sports injuries, falls or biting on something hard or sticky can crack a tooth and cause the pain to move toward the middle of the tooth where the nerve endings exist.

How Do I Alleviate the Pain if I Cannot See My Dentist Right Away?

Anyone with a toothache should see a dentist at once for diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, a toothache and the condition that is causing it can worsen. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to relieve pain.

 Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth, as it may burn the gum tissue.
 Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Direct application of oil of cloves (eugenol) may also help to numb the gums. The oil may be rubbed directly on the sore area, or soak a small piece of cotton and apply it to the sore tooth.
 If there has been some trauma to the tooth, a cold compress may be applied on the outside cheek to relieve pain or swelling.

Is There a Way to Prevent a Toothache?

Yes! The key to preventing toothaches is establishing a regular oral hygiene routine and sticking to it. Let’s face it: failure to brush and floss regularly after meals can significantly increase your risk of developing cavities, which can cause toothaches.

Here Are a Few Tips to Help Reduce Your risk For Developing a Toothache:

 Brush at least twice a day, preferably after meals and snacks
 Floss at least once a day to prevent gum disease
 Visit your dentist regularly for oral examinations and a professional cleaning. Then enjoy your smile.

Dr. Shelley Shearer is a graduate of the University of Louisville Dental School and founder of Shearer Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Florence.