Should I Call About My Toothache?
Summer 2008
Many of us have toothaches that come and go, sometimes depending on what we bite into, or the temperature of a food or a beverage. When the pain goes away, we forget about it until - ouch! - it happens again. At what point should you call us to have your toothache checked out?
Whether it's a sharp pain or a dull ache, a toothache should never be ignored. While most problems are minor and can be easily treated in our office, a toothache may indicate a more serious issue, including a dental infection or abscess, a cracked tooth, gum disease, an exposed tooth root, a broken or loose filling, temporomandibular disorder or even a sinus or ear infection.
In some cases, the "dental" pain felt by some patients has been the first indication of oral cancer. In other, rare, cases, pain in the teeth has been a symptom of heart disease, especially if the patient feels pain in the left part of the jaw.
It's always wise to make an appointment to come in and check out the severity of your problem. In the meantime, try to relieve toothache pain by:
- Rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water
- Flossing teeth to dislodge any trapped food particles
- Taking aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Using a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to help relieve any pain or swelling. Never use heat as heat incubates and promotes bacterial growth.
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