Toothache

Having a Toothache?

“A toothache is the worst pain, worse than child labour!” This is something we hear from patients a lot. There can be different reasons for toothache like decaying or rotting teeth, infected teeth, or gums.

Should I just take a painkiller to make the pain go away?

Toothache can present itself in different ways such as

• Sharp pain in a tooth that feels like a throb.
• Consistent pain in a tooth or pain that comes and goes.
• Pain on biting food or chewing food.
• Pain in the gums or pus discharge in the gums around a tooth.
• Swelling in the gums or on the face.
• Pain in a tooth that spreads to jaws or ear.
• Painful jaw joints.

Painkiller medication will make the symptoms go away temporarily but it will not get rid of the root cause of the problem. It is recommended to visit the Dentist as soon as possible to avoid any unpleasant dental emergencies or a trip to the hospital.

Why am I having a toothache?

There can be many reasons for a toothache such as

• Decaying or rotting tooth or teeth.
• Broken or chipped tooth.
• Infection in a tooth that has spread to the nerve inside the tooth and the gums around it.
• Impacted wisdom teeth.
• Gum disease.
• Cracks in the teeth due to grinding.
• Fracture of the tooth due to trauma.

A check up at the Dentist will help determine the reason why you are experiencing a toothache. The Dentist can then address your concern and recommend the best course of action to get you out of pain immediately and to avoid any similar situation in the future.

What should I do if I am having a toothache?

It is recommended to see the Dentist as soon as possible to treat the toothache with the best possible dental treatment. This should be followed up with a complete dental check up afterwards to ensure that all other teeth are in good condition.

If you are experiencing a toothache, we recommend visiting the Dentist immediately. Call our dental office on 07 3399 6228 and talk to our friendly team at Tooth Smart Dental. We offer SAME DAY EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS to accommodate any dental emergency and to get you out of the pain as soon as we can.

 How can I avoid toothaches in the future?

Prevention is better than cure. You can avoid a toothache by simple practices such as

• Regular Dental Check-ups.
• Regular oral hygiene practices like brushing twice a day and flossing.
• Using a fluoride toothpaste.
• Adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet.
• Minimising intake of sugary & acidic food and beverages.
• Wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth at night.
• Wearing a mouthguard for contact sports.