Having a toothache doesn’t only derail your good mood, it can drive migraines and keep you from functioning during your day. Besides interfering with your life, toothaches and gum throbbing is a sign something is wrong. The best thing to do when experiencing that kind of pain is to see a dentist as soon as you can, but if you’re unable to get an appointment asap there are some home remedies to help ease the discomfort while waiting to see your dentist.

These home remedies for a toothache are safe to do at home and shouldn’t interfere with any approaches your dentist may make. Be sure to tell them the actions you’ve taken to help ease the pain so they can determine whether it’s ok to continue after they’ve addressed the issue.

 

Salt Water Rinse

Toothache pain can rear its head in a sudden onset, not always giving you the opportunity to get into the dentist’s chair as soon as you’d like. If that’s the case, sometimes a saltwater rinse can provide temporary relief. It helps by drawing out infected fluid and cleans the area, essentially reducing inflammation and clearing away bacteria.

• Add about a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, 6 to 8 ounces will do.
• Stir up the salt to help it dissolve
• Swish the saltwater in your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds, but DO NOT SWALLOW IT. Drinking salt water is very bad for your body.
• Spit it out and repeat another time or two.

 

Use a Sensitive Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth while having a toothache can be painful, but it’s essential you keep brushing to help ensure the underlying problem doesn’t grow worse. This can help to ease the pain right away if the discomfort is caused by dental plaque bacteria or food debris. After brushing, consider applying special toothpaste made for sensitive teeth to the area with the toothache. Do this twice a day to help cut down on the discomfort until you see a dentist.

 

Hot and Cold Packs

Both heat and cold packs help ease the pain of a toothache, but the cold pack specifically will help with any inflammation. Whenever you need relief or if the pain is growing unbearable, you can use either to help temporarily relieve the toothache.

 

Over the Counter Pain Relievers

If you’re looking for longer pain relief, although still temporary, any over-the-counter pain reliever will help you feel less of the toothache. Be sure to read and follow the pill bottle’s directions carefully to make sure that it doesn’t interact with any other medications you are taking. Also, remember that pain relievers don’t fix your toothache, it only offers temporary relief.

 

Possible Toothache Causes

Any pain is a red flag that something is wrong. Now that we know how to address the pain from toothaches, it’s important to know some of the possible causes.

 

• Cavity: We all get them from time to time and a toothache could mean a cavity is growing into a bigger problem.
• Gum disease: This is an infection of the gum tissues around your teeth, likely causing inflammation and pain felt as a toothache.
• Impacted tooth: This is a tooth that is lodged inside your gum and cannot break through. While some of the home remedies above can help with this pain relief, a dentist must still be seen as soon as possible.
• Damaged tooth: Tooth pain can be caused by cracked, chipped or broken teeth, and is usually a good reason to see schedule an appointment right away.
• Abscess: This is an infection in your tooth caused by decay, damage, or gum disease. As with an impacted or otherwise damaged tooth, you should see a dentist straight away.

 

When to See a Dentist ASAP

Some oral health issues we let go on for too long, whether due to a fear of the dentist or because we don’t notice them until they develop into a toothache. If you have any of the following symptoms, it’s important to call your dentist straight away, as a serious problem could be brewing.

• Swelling
• Pus
• Pain that is ongoing or gets worse
• Fever
• Bleeding gums
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
• Foul taste in your mouth
• Cluster headaches associated with toothaches

The best thing to help prevent a toothache from growing into a serious oral health problem is to see a dentist as soon as you can. The home remedies for toothaches listed above don’t solve the problem, they only offer temporary relief. Whatever the underlying issue must still be addressed.

 If you are in need of a dental check-up or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, Dr. Li is available to help you regain your oral health. We have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.

 If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.

It might start with a bit of sensitivity in your teeth or gums… Then it becomes a bit of an annoying ache or throbbing sensation in your mouth.

Yep, it’s a toothache! And it’s one of the most common signs that you probably have a bacterial infection somewhere in your teeth or gums.

Now, don’t stress too much yet. Most dental infections, like cavities, are easily treatable with common dental procedures.

However, if left untreated, infections could cause more severe problems in the future like pulpitis or dental abscesses, or potentially even spread to other parts of your body. That’s why it’s very important to seek out a dentist, like Dr. Li and her team at Ellerslie 66, as soon as you start experiencing any symptoms of a potential issue. Only then can they treat your oral health issues before they become a major problem.

To help you identify tooth infection symptoms and understand what to do if you’re experiencing them, we’ve put together this handy guide with all you need to know.

What is a tooth infection?

A dental infection is generally caused by bacteria in your mouth getting where it should not be.  While we all have bacteria throughout the surfaces of our mouth, problems begin to occur when the bacteria gets to the insides of your teeth, gums, or other mouth tissue. This is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, but can also happen when there are chips, cracks, or other injuries to your teeth as well.

Essentially, what happens over time is an excess of bacteria in your mouth will combine with acids, sugary and starchy foods, and saliva to create plaque and tartar buildup. Too much plaque can lead to issues such as tooth decay, and gum disease which allow the bacteria inside your teeth and gums.

Once bacteria has gotten inside your tooth or gum tissue it can cause three main types of tooth infections. These are:

• Cavities: Small holes in your teeth created where plaque has dissolved your tooth enamel.
• Pulpitis: A condition where bacteria has gotten into the pulp of your tooth and can cause nerve damage or dead teeth.
• Abscess: An infection where bacteria in your mouth forms a pocket of pus that causes moderate to severe pain, and can turn into a serious, life-threatening condition if left untreated. Depending on where the condition is located there are different types of abscess, including: periapical abscess, or tooth abscess at the root of your tooth; periodontal abscess, in the gums or tissue next to the root or bone; and gingival abscess in your gums.

While regularly brushing your teeth and flossing can help prevent plaque buildup, and ultimately dental infections, having routine dental exams twice a year is also very important. Plaque itself cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone so your dentist should regularly remove any that has built up and take other necessary steps to protect your teeth.

Tooth Infection Symptoms

Now that you know what a tooth infection is and how it is caused, it’s time to learn what signs to look out for.  The following are some of the most common symptoms that might suggest that you have a tooth infection, or another problem that may lead to one:

• Consistent or throbbing tooth pain
• Throbbing pain in the jaw, ear or neck
• Increased pain when lying down
• Sensitivity to pressure in the mouth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold food & drink
• Swelling of your cheeks, jaw, mouth, or face
• Tender or swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste in mouth

If you’re experiencing the above symptoms, especially a combination of any, you should seek out emergency dental services from a dental provider near you. While there’s potential that it could be nothing serious, you’ll have solace in knowing that if you do have an infection that it can be caught and treated before the infection has spread to other parts of your body.

Symptoms An Infection Has Spread

While it’s best to take care of a tooth infection before it spreads, it’s also important to know when it has. It’s easy to let tooth infection carry on, especially if nervous about a dentist appointment. If you have any of these symptoms though, it’s best to seek dental care as soon as possible:

• headache
• dizziness
• fatigue
• sweating
• chills
• skin flushed
• swelling to the point of difficulty opening your mouth
• swelling that impedes swallowing and breathing
• darker urine
• diarrhea
• vomiting

Of course, these symptoms extend from many different kinds of ailments, but if they’re following symptoms of tooth infection and you’re experiencing several of the symptoms at once then you know it’s likely that the infection has spread.

How Are Tooth Infections Treated?

Depending on the severity of the tooth infection, there is a range of treatment options to quell the problem in your teeth or gums and restore your oral health. Some common treatments for a tooth infection include:

• Root canal
• draining abscess
• Administering antibiotics
• anti-inflammatory drugs
• removal of tooth

The path your dentist takes to restore good oral health very much depends on if the tooth infection has spread as well as the severity. Keep in mind that the longer you wait after experiencing any symptoms listed above, the more involved the treatment is likely to be.

Preventing Tooth Infections

The best way to catch tooth infections before they spread is by regular visits to your dentist and scheduling an appointment when you notice tooth infection symptoms appearing. Teeth that see the dentist often are healthy teeth.

If you are in need of a dental check-up or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, Dr. Li is available to help you regain your oral health. We have numerous payment options available and if you have dental benefits, we will submit your claims on your behalf. We also welcome cash, Visa, MasterCard, and e-Transfer payment methods to help make the dentist visit as pain-free as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at 587-801-1939 or contact us here.

So much of our daily lives are impacted by oral health. For many of our Edmonton patients, having a healthy smile provides encouragement and improves confidence. By taking daily preventative measures to improve your oral health you may be able to avoid serious complications like cavities, gum disease or dental emergencies.

 

What is Preventative Dental Care?

You’ve probably heard it time and time again: brush and floss daily! But that’s only part of the preventative care picture. There are steps you can take daily, monthly and even yearly to ensure your smile is healthy. Preventative dentistry is a combination of routine dental checkups and daily habits like brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash. 

 

Tips for Preventative Dental Care at Home

Better oral health begins at home! The good news is that the time and effort required to practice proper daily hygiene is not as daunting as you might think. For some patients the most difficult part is establishing a routine. Once you understand the steps and frequency of proper daily oral hygiene, you can begin to practice a routine that will soon become a healthy habit.

 

Brush at Least Twice Daily

Frequent brushing is one of the most important and effective preventive measures you can take on a daily basis. Brushing your teeth removes bacteria and plaque that can quickly build up between meals and overnight. Brushing frequently can help prevent cavities and gum disease. You should brush at least twice a day, but it is recommended that you also brush after every meal.

Use a soft bristle brush and brush in a  semi-circular motion. Do not apply a lot of pressure or brush too vigorously, or you may damage your gums.

 

Floss at Least Once Daily

Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease, and brushing alone can’t reach every nook and cranny of your teeth and gums. Flossing can reach the spaces that toothbrush bristles can’t. By flossing at least once a day, you can avoid the build up of tartar in hard to reach places between your teeth and in the gumline. 

Looking for even more reasons to floss? It can help prevent bad breath!

 

Use Mouthwash

Some patients don’t like the taste or sensation of mouthwash, and may opt not to include it in part of daily preventative dental care. There are numerous over the counter mouthwashes available, and even some prescription mouthwashes for use in specific cases. Dr. Li can help you choose a mouthwash that will work best for your dental health plan.

 

How Can a Dentist Help Me Improve My Dental Health?

Preventative dentistry gives you and your dentist insight into dental health throughout the year, so that complications like cavities can be caught before they become more serious. As part of a preventative dental care plan you may receive:

 

Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays help identify hidden cavities or other problems lurking deep within your teeth and gums. Dr. Li uses digital x-rays, which are a fast and convenient alternative to traditional dental x-ray machines. Every patient’s care plan is different, so the frequency of getting dental x-rays will vary depending on your unique situation.

 

Routine Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning is typically performed by a dental hygienist who will remove tartar and plaque from your teeth using various dental instruments. Teeth cleaning is an important part of preventative dentistry because it gives our care team an opportunity to closely examine your oral health and reduce build up between cleanings. 

We recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned once a quarter, every 6 months, or at least once a year depending on your clinical condition and current oral health.

 

Regular Dental Examinations

Regular dental examinations allow your dentist to track your oral health and identify potential problems year over year. Dental checkups may be performed during the same appointment as a routine teeth cleaning, but might be scheduled separately if your dentist wants to take a deeper look into your oral health. If you feel pain in your mouth or suspect there is a sudden problem with your teeth or gums, please contact us for an examination. 

Being proactive about your dental health is a team effort! Dr. Li and her staff can help you achieve your dental health goals through our preventative dentistry program. Contact our friendly care team today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Li will evaluate your oral health and create a preventative dental care plan that fits your unique situation. Call us at 708-705-9866 or click here to contact us online.