Family Dentistry of Texoma

What to Do for a Toothache: When to Wait and When to Call Your Dentist

A toothache has a way of stopping everything. Whether it is a dull, persistent ache or a sharp pain that flares when you bite down, tooth pain is your body telling you something is wrong. Knowing how to respond — and when to pick up the phone — can make a big difference in how quickly you feel better and how much treatment you end up needing.

At Family Dentistry of Texoma in Wichita Falls, we see toothache patients regularly and want you to feel equipped to handle tooth pain before you can get into our office.

Common Causes of Toothaches

Tooth pain can come from several sources. Understanding the likely cause helps you gauge how urgently you need to be seen:

• Tooth decay (cavities). The most common cause. As decay reaches the inner layers of the tooth, it triggers sensitivity and pain, especially to sweet, hot, or cold foods.
• Cracked tooth. A crack can be invisible to the eye but causes sharp pain when biting in a specific way. It can worsen quickly if left untreated.
• Gum disease or abscess. Infection in the gum or at the root of the tooth causes throbbing, persistent pain and sometimes swelling or a bad taste in the mouth.
• Exposed root. Gum recession can expose the sensitive root surface, leading to sharp pain with temperature changes.
• A lost filling or broken crown. When a restoration fails, the exposed tooth becomes sensitive quickly.
• Sinus pressure. Upper back teeth sit close to the sinus cavities, so sinus congestion can cause aching in those teeth that is not dental in origin.

What to Do at Home While You Wait

Home remedies will not fix the underlying problem, but they can help manage pain until you see a dentist:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) works better than acetaminophen for dental pain because it addresses inflammation as well as pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.
• Clove oil. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural numbing agent. Apply a small amount to a cotton ball and hold it against the painful area for temporary relief.
• Rinse with warm salt water. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse gently. This helps reduce inflammation and clean the area around the tooth.
• Avoid temperature extremes. Stay away from very hot or very cold foods and drinks until you have been seen.
• Do not put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum. This is a common myth. Aspirin is acidic and placing it on soft tissue can cause a chemical burn.

When to Call Your Dentist Right Away

Some toothaches can wait a day or two for a regular appointment. Others cannot. Call Family Dentistry of Texoma immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Severe, throbbing pain that is not controlled by over-the-counter medication
• Swelling in your jaw, cheek, or neck
• Fever alongside tooth pain (this suggests infection)
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• A bad taste or discharge in your mouth (sign of abscess)
• Pain following a recent trauma or injury to the mouth

Dental infections are not something to wait out. An abscess left untreated can spread to the jaw, neck, and in rare serious cases, beyond. When in doubt, call us and we will help you determine how quickly you need to be seen.

What Your Dentist Will Do

At your appointment, we will take X-rays to identify the source of the pain and examine the tooth and surrounding tissue. Depending on what we find, treatment may include:

• Filling a cavity
• Placing or replacing a crown
• Root canal therapy if the nerve is affected
• Extracting the tooth if it cannot be saved
• Prescribing antibiotics if infection is present

The earlier we catch the problem, the simpler the solution almost always is. A small cavity caught early is a quick filling. The same cavity left alone can become a root canal or extraction.

Do Not Ignore Tooth Pain

It can be tempting to push through tooth pain, especially when it comes and goes. But pain that disappears on its own does not always mean the problem is resolved — it can mean the nerve has died, which often leads to infection down the road.

If you are dealing with a toothache in Wichita Falls, do not wait it out. Call Family Dentistry of Texoma at (940) 723-0435 and we will get you in as soon as possible. Relief is closer than you think.