Ouch! My tooth!
Have a toothache and don’t know what to do? Read on for information on what you should do next.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt?
- Tooth decay or a cavity – If it is bad enough, it can lead to a bacterial infection in the nerve of the tooth, which can cause an abscess.
- Gum disease.
- Teeth grinding.
- Getting hit in the jaw or teeth while playing sports or other activities.
- Sinus or ear infections.
- Cracked tooth.
What can I do to ease my tooth pain?
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Gently floss your teeth to see if any food might be trapped there.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling, especially if an injury is causing your pain.
Should I call my dentist?
See your dentist if your toothache lasts longer than a day. Contact your dentist immediately if you experience fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling around the tooth or your cheek.
“Dental Emergencies & Injuries.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/370.aspx.
“Do You Have a Cracked Tooth?” American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_25.pdf.
“Ibuprofen.” Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682159.html#brand-names.
“Pain Medications - non-narcotic.” Medline Plus.” National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002123.htm.
“Tooth Abscess.” Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001060.htm.
“Toothaches.” Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003067.htm.