A toothache is any pain you feel in your tooth, around your tooth, or when you pressure your teeth. A variety of factors can cause a toothache. Some of the reasons are small, while others lead to severe problems that need to be addressed right away; if not, they could have lasting consequences. At Walnut Ridge Dental Care in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, we want to make sure all of our patients know how to deal with a toothache. It’s better to be prepared and knowledgeable about how to handle a toothache than to be taken off guard.

 

The inside of our teeth is filled with several different blood vessels and nerves. When your tooth starts to ache, it is probably due to sickness, infection, or lack of oral hygiene. You will experience discomfort and sensitivity in your mouth. Depending on the amount of pain you feel will help you determine if the situation is an emergency or not. Some main causes of a toothache are: 

• Tooth decay
• A dental emergency such as a broken tooth or an abscessed tooth
• Damaged dental work
• Grinding your teeth (bruxism)

The majority of these issues can be addressed with some at-home remedies, but each of them has the potential to develop into a problem that necessitates rapid dental attention. If you encounter bleeding, discomfort, or excessive sensitivity while treating a toothache, please contact us immediately. We can get you in and out of our office fast, and we’ll work together to treat your tooth while keeping you comfortable.

 

At-Home Solutions

There are many different things that you can do on your own to try and ease your pain with a toothache. We have listed some ideas below! 

• Use warm salt water to rinse your mouth. Saltwater is an antiseptic, and rinsing your mouth with it will kill any hidden bacteria and loosen and food stuck in your teeth.
• Use a cold compress to help with irritation and swelling. 
• Use any over-the-counter medications that work for you. Tylenol and Ibuprofen are great options, and there is a version for children. Be sure to follow the instructions perfectly. 
• Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. You may have a hidden popcorn kernel stuck somewhere that is causing you pain! 

If these options do not work for you and your pain is obviously increasing, please give us a call. We will have you in our office as soon as possible. It is very likely that if these simple remedies are not helping your situation, there could be a hidden, serious issue. We will do what we can to help you. 

 

We can use our digital technology and x-ray machines to look for unwanted issues in our office. Your toothache could have to do with overcrowding, such as wisdom teeth trying to push through. There can be built-up plaque in your gum line or problems with any recent dental work you have had done. At Walnut Ridge Dental Care, we stand ready to help you with our expertise. You will be in the best hands possible. 

 

We strongly encourage the practice of good oral hygiene at home. Removing plaque daily will help you maintain a healthy smile and help you avoid any possibility of a toothache. Be sure to brush for two minutes a day using the right toothbrush. Floss between all of your teeth, making an effort to reach the back molars. At Walnut Ridge Dental Care, we are invested in helping you have your best smile! Call us today with any questions you may have.