Tooth Pain? Don’t Do This

Just as it is with other parts of our body, when there is pain in your mouth, it is a sign that something is not right. There are many reasons for sudden tooth pain, including an abscess, infection, severe decay or damage to the tooth or a dental restoration (crown or filling). A toothache can be disruptive and extremely uncomfortable at times. At Red Oak Family Dentistry, we always want to know immediately if you are experiencing dental pain of any kind. We offer emergency dental care in a warm and highly equipped office environment.

When it comes to dental pain, you may be searching for answers on what you should do. However, here are a few things you should not do in order to protect your smile and relieve your discomfort:

Don’t go to the ER. In the majority of cases where patients have severe tooth pain, a visit to the ER is ineffective and could prolong the time it takes until you get proper treatment. In emergency rooms, there is a lack of diagnostic equipment and tools, and ER physicians are simply not trained to identify and treat oral health problems. They may be able to prescribe a painkiller, but the underlying cause of your tooth pain will not be addressed.

Don’t ignore it. Although dental pain is actually pretty hard to ignore, leaving a toothache untreated should never be an option. If an infection or decay is the cause of your pain, the problem will only worsen and even spread to other teeth. Seeking dental treatment promptly can save your tooth and save your wallet from more costly treatments.

Don’t put aspirin on it. Contrary to what you may have heard, putting aspirin on a toothache is not recommended and can burn your gum tissue. Instead, rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to clean the area and call us right away.

Don’t self-diagnose. As mentioned previously, there are a number of causes for dental pain. Although it may be tempting to diagnose your symptoms on the Internet or with a friend, let a trained dental professional handle it. Your dentist has the x-ray technology and skilled eye to properly identify your tooth pain cause and implement an appropriate treatment plan. For instance, assuming that your tooth pain is a cracked filling may give you the false assumption that you can wait to see your dentist – when you may actually need attention right away.

At Red Oak Family Dentistry, we understand the importance of comfortable, professional and affordable emergency dental care. If you are experiencing tooth pain, we want to know right now!