Toothaches come unexpectedly – holidays or weekends, it doesn’t matter to them. Getting to the doctor right away is not always possible. Especially if your doctor is sitting behind the Christmas table at the time. What to do? After all, you don’t want to miss the most beautiful time of the year because of unbearable pain. CLINIC | DPC dentists share their tips on how to relieve pain before your visit to the doctor.
– Ice compress. Heat should be avoided when the tooth is sore, as it encourages the formation of bacteria and thus increases inflammation. It is recommended to ice the sore area several times a day and, if possible, to hold an ice cube directly against the sore area.
– Rinsing with disinfectant fluids. Disinfectant liquids, rinses with soda or saline solutions can be effective for short-term pain relief. It is important to thoroughly clean and rinse out any food stuck in the perineum as this can also increase pain.
– Medicines. If the pain is severe, take painkillers. They will also help reduce inflammation.
– Natural remedies. Tea tree oil or kenium oil kills bacteria and can help relieve pain. Make a mouthwash or hold a piece of cotton wool moistened with oil against your gums. You can also try applying garlic or onion to the sore area – the substances in garlic or onion are anti-inflammatory.
Remember that ice packs, disinfectant fluids and other remedies can help relieve the pain, but do not solve the problem. Therefore, it is recommended to see a dentist right away if possible. Better still, visit your dentist’s office as a preventive measure to avoid painful surprises.
Experts recommend a preventive dental visit at least once a year. It is also important to have professional oral hygiene twice a year. This will help to keep your teeth healthy for longer and prevent painful problems from developing. To be able to point out dental problems in time, it is useful to know what causes them.
Tooth decay and its complications. It is a chronic, infectious lesion of the hard tissues, which progresses to demineralization and decay. The enamel of the teeth starts to deplete of minerals (calcium and phosphorus), making it vulnerable to damage. Eventually, an infectious cavity is formed, often referred to as a ‘hole’ in the mouth. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to a root canal infection, which is very painful.
Tooth fracture or decay. These are complex dental injuries that often present with acute pain. The most important thing is to see a doctor immediately, or at least within the first two days of the injury. Otherwise, the tooth’s vitality is usually not preserved.
Gum disease. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of various diseases. Plaque that is not cleaned well creates a favorable environment for the development of various micro-organisms that cause dental inflammation. If left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis and to tooth loss. Often, gingivitis is manifested not only by bleeding gums but also by pain.
Bruxism – involuntary gnashing of teeth. Often bruxism doesn’t seem like such a big deal. However, sometimes gnashing of the teeth can cause pain in the head, face or muscles involved in chewing that spreads to the ear, neck or shoulder. Prolonged gnashing of the teeth can cause them to become loose, leading to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or gingival recession (receding gums). If left untreated, bruxism can lead to dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint and tooth wear.
Wear and tear on old seals. Old fillings develop microtia, invisible to the eye, where the bacteria that cause tooth decay accumulate. This can be one of the reasons why your tooth hurts.
Growth of mental teeth. Most people’s jaws don’t have enough room for all 32 teeth. As a result, the mental teeth have nowhere to erupt. This causes pain and sometimes a rise in temperature.
If any of these problems are familiar to you, don’t hesitate to visit your dentist. Don’t let toothaches ruin the holidays.
