What to Do for Tooth Pain at Home And When It’s Time to See a Dentist
Tooth pain has a way of getting your attention quickly. Maybe you noticed a little sensitivity earlier in the day, but now your tooth is throbbing while you’re trying to fall asleep. Or maybe it suddenly hurts when you bite down and you’re wondering whether you need to call the dentist or give it a day or two.
If you’re dealing with a toothache, the first thing to know is that tooth pain is your body’s way of telling you that something needs attention. There are things you can do for temporary tooth pain relief at home, but figuring out why your tooth hurts is ultimately the most important part. At Birk Family Dentistry, we would always rather have you call and ask than spend days worrying about whether something is serious.
Here’s what you should know if your tooth starts hurting.
What to Do for Tooth Pain at Home
If you can’t get to the dentist right away, there are a few simple things you can do at home to help make yourself more comfortable. Start by gently brushing and flossing around the area. Sometimes something as simple as food trapped between the teeth can cause surprising discomfort. You can also rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help clean the area and soothe irritated gum tissue.
A cold compress placed against the outside of your cheek may help with pain or swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication may also provide temporary relief when taken according to the label and when it is safe for you to take. Try to avoid foods that make the pain worse in the meantime. Very hot, cold, sugary, acidic, or hard foods can sometimes aggravate an already sensitive tooth.
Most importantly, remember that these are ways to manage discomfort temporarily. They don’t treat the underlying reason your tooth is hurting.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt?
There isn’t one single cause of tooth pain, which is why an exam can be so important. A cavity is one possibility, but tooth pain can also come from a cracked or damaged tooth, an old filling, gum irritation, exposed tooth roots, teeth grinding or clenching, an infection, or problems involving a wisdom tooth.
Even the way the pain feels can give us useful information. Sensitivity to cold may tell us something different than a tooth that hurts when you bite down. A dull ache can have a different cause than severe, throbbing pain. That’s why we don’t want our patients to feel like they have to diagnose themselves. Your job is to tell us what you’re feeling. Our job is to help figure out why.
How Do I Know if My Tooth Pain Could Be an Infection?
A tooth infection can happen when bacteria reach the inner portion of a tooth. While only a dental professional can determine what is causing your pain, there are some symptoms that deserve prompt attention.
Significant or worsening pain, swelling of the face or gums, a bump on the gums, a bad taste or drainage in your mouth, fever, or feeling generally unwell can sometimes occur with a dental infection. If you develop facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, seek urgent medical care. Dental infections should not be ignored or treated solely with home remedies.
And even without those symptoms, persistent tooth pain is worth a phone call. Pain can sometimes come and go even when the underlying dental problem hasn’t gone away.
What About Wisdom Tooth Pain?
Wisdom teeth can cause pain for several different reasons. Sometimes the gums around a wisdom tooth become irritated or inflamed. A wisdom tooth may also be partially erupted, impacted, difficult to keep clean, or putting pressure on the surrounding area. If you’re experiencing pain toward the very back of your mouth, swelling around a wisdom tooth, difficulty chewing, or recurring irritation in that area, it’s a good idea to have it evaluated.
An exam can help determine whether the wisdom tooth itself is causing the problem and what your options are.
When Should I Call the Dentist for Tooth Pain?
If your tooth pain lasts more than a day or two, keeps returning, is getting worse, or is making it difficult to eat or sleep, call the dentist. You should also call sooner if you notice swelling, significant pain when biting, signs of infection, a broken or cracked tooth, or pain following an injury.
One of the things we never want is for someone to avoid calling because they’re worried that they’ll be judged, that they’ve waited too long, or that making an appointment automatically means they’re going to need extensive dental work.
Sometimes the solution is simpler than you expect. And when treatment is needed, finding the problem earlier often gives us more options.
Don’t Feel Like You Have to Figure It Out Yourself
If you’re searching for what to do for tooth pain at home because your tooth hurts right now, use the tips above to help keep yourself comfortable temporarily. But if the pain isn’t going away, please don’t spend days trying to tough it out.
At Birk Family Dentistry, we want you to feel comfortable asking questions about your dental health, even if you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is a big deal.
If you have tooth pain or you’re concerned about something happening in your mouth, call our office. Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll help you determine the best next step. We would always rather hear from you and help put your mind at ease than have you sit at home worrying.
FAQ
What can I do for tooth pain at home?
Gently brush and floss around the painful tooth, rinse with warm salt water, use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, and consider an over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you to take. These steps may provide temporary tooth pain relief, but they don’t treat the underlying cause.
Can tooth pain go away on its own?
Some minor irritation may resolve, but pain disappearing doesn’t always mean the dental problem has gone away. If tooth pain persists, returns, or becomes worse, schedule an evaluation with your dentist.
How do I know if my tooth is infected?
Possible signs can include persistent or worsening pain, swelling, a bump on the gums, drainage or a bad taste, fever, or feeling unwell. A dentist needs to evaluate the tooth to determine whether an infection is present.
Why does my tooth hurt more at night?
Some people notice tooth pain more when they’re lying down or when there are fewer distractions at night. Regardless of when you notice it most, persistent or significant tooth pain should be evaluated.
Should I use heat or ice for tooth pain?
A cold compress against the outside of the cheek can help with pain and swelling. Avoid applying extreme temperatures directly to the tooth or gum tissue.
When is tooth pain an emergency?
Severe swelling, facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, significant trauma, or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent attention. Difficulty breathing or swallowing should be treated as a medical emergency.
