Are you experiencing a toothache? Today, our Nanaimo dentists share the possible causes for your tooth pain, the signs of an emergency, and when you should see a dentist.
Why Do My Teeth Hurt?
Toothaches can cause throbbing pain in your mouth and can be fairly severe. You most likely don’t have to be told to call your dentist as quickly as possible if you are having this emergency.
There are a handful of signs that indicate that you should see your dentist immediately on top of the pain you are feeling around your tooth, including:
- Bleeding in your mouth
- Swelling around the tooth
- Foul taste in your mouth or bad breath
- Facial swelling
- Fever
Some factors that could be causing your tooth pain include:
- Tooth decay
- Trauma to the tooth or surrounding tissue
- Infected nerve
- Abscessed tooth
- Teeth grinding
- Infections in the mouth
- Damaged dental work
What You Should Do
If you are experiencing tooth pain, the first thing to do is to quell any bleeding using gauze. If the tooth (or a piece of a tooth) has been lost, try to locate it. Once found, dust off any debris (do not rinse with water).
If possible, place the tooth carefully into the socket, and bite down gently. If you’re not able to push the tooth back into the socket, add some milk to a lidded container and place the tooth inside. This may help preserve the tooth and make it more likely that your dentist will be able to replace it.
If you are experiencing swelling or pain, try taking over-the-counter painkillers (while carefully following the instructions on the bottle for the recommended dose) and applying an icepack to the area.
You should then make an appointment with your dentist so the issue can be diagnosed and treated. Note that most dental pain will not stop on its own, and attempting to diagnose or treat the issue yourself could lead to serious issues long-term.
Depending on the underlying source of your pain our dentists at Brooks Landing Dental Clinic in Nanaimo might tell you to either come to our office immediately for treatment or schedule an appointment to see you as early as possible.
Bookmark our website or search “dentist near me” in your favourite search engine and we will likely pop up.
If you have experienced trauma to the tooth that has caused a fracture or breakage, or if you are in severe pain that you are unable to manage yourself, call our office as soon as you are comfortable and safe. We will make room for you in our schedule as soon as possible for emergency dental treatment.
If your situation isn't as severe, try one of the tips below that could help you manage the discomfort you are feeling until it's time for your appointment:
- Keep your teeth clean
- Record your pain
- Rinse your mouth using saltwater
- If the tooth is broken, apply a piece of gauze over the jagged edge of the tooth