If you ever experience the dull, incessant pain of a toothache, it could be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your teeth. Even though toothaches do sometimes come and go, there is usually an underlying cause which can and should be treated.
Your toothache may simply be caused by sensitivity to hot or cold, or it may be a sign of a more serious problem like tooth decay, an abscessed or fractured tooth, a damaged filling, gum disease or bruxism (teeth grinding). So if you have a bad toothache for more than a couple of days, or your toothache is very severe, we strongly urge you to contact Australia Dental so we can investigate!
Your toothache treatment
At your appointment, we will carefully inspect your mouth for signs of tooth decay. We will ask about your diet, and past dental and medical history, to help us diagnose the cause of your toothache. We may also decide to take digital x-rays of your teeth and mouth to give us a detailed picture of the entire area.
If we discover that a cavity is in fact causing your toothache, the Australia Dental team will fill the cavity if possible, or extract the tooth if your tooth decay is severe or very advanced. If we determine that your tooth’s nerve has become infected, we may recommend root canal therapy to alleviate your pain and restore your tooth. We may also prescribe antibiotics to treat any fever or swelling in the case of infection.
Preventing toothaches
In many cases, a persistent toothache will be caused by a cavity or tooth decay. So to help you prevent toothache in future, the Australia Dental team will offer you advice on the best oral hygiene practices to put in place at home.
We recommend brushing every morning and night using fluoride toothpaste, and flossing every day to scrape away plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. You should limit how often you consume sugary or starchy food and drink, and take care to rinse your mouth with water after eating to wash away food and promote saliva flow. And of course, you should take care to attend regular appointments at Australia Dental with your Brisbane dentist at least twice a year, for a professional clean and thorough check-up.
Aid Swelling
- Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and numb pain. Again it can help provide temporary relief.
- Keep painkillers like Ibuprofen, Aleve, Codeine, Tylenol etc for night. If you use them regularly, your body will get accustomed to them pretty soon.
Book an appointment
These suggestions are only temporary relief from pain, we strongly advise that you see your dentist as soon as you experience any oral pain or discomfort.