There is nothing worse than being on your
honeymoon, in-flight, on a camping trip, or on a long car ride when it strikes
- an unrelenting toothache so severe you feel like you want to die. Knowing
what to do can prevent major discomfort.
Fortunately, the chance of an unforeseen dental crisis can usually be prevented
by early detection and treatment of dental disease. When dental disaster does
strike (and it always seems to be at the most inopportune time), knowing how
to alleviate the pain is invaluable information everyone can use.
A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicating
inflammation and possible infection. Generally, a toothache occurs if tooth
decay is very close to or has penetrated the pulp chamber that contains nerves
and tiny blood vessels. Ideally, it's best to undergo dental treatment.
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What to tell your dentist when you call:
Questions will you be asked when you have a toothache and call your dentist:
- How long has it hurt?
- What makes it hurt? Does it keep you awake at night?
- How much does it hurt?
- Have you been taken anything for the pain?
- What is the location of tooth or pain?
- What symptoms are you having? (swelling, fever, pain)
This is done to determine the type of emergency treatment you require.
Make sure to follow up on what the dentist tells you and to attend your
return appointment.
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Antibiotics
Remember antibiotics are not the answer for all situations. An antibiotic
will only keep the infection from spreading and can be used to rule out
sinusitis and other infectious outside the tooth.
Antibiotics cannot clear up an infection inside the pulp of a tooth. Taking
too many antibiotics can cause you to build up an immunity to antibiotic therapy
in your future.
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Braces and orthodontic problems
If a wire is causing an irritation, cover the end of the wire with some
wax or a piece of gauze.
If a wire becomes embedded in the gum or cheek DO NOT remove it, go to
the dentist immediately.
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Breath bad
Brush your teeth after every meal with fluoride toothpaste. Do not brush
your tongue, use a tongue scraper to clean you tongue regularly and floss
daily.
If you wear dentures take them out daily and clean them thoroughly and
brush you teeth and/or gums thoroughly.
Use a dentist administered cleansing mouth rinse containing "Zytex" that
neutralizes the sulfur compounds and kills the bacteria that contributes to
bad breath.
Make sure to drink at least eight cups of fluoridated water a day.
Keep a log of foods you eat to determine which foods are causing your problem.
Schedule regular dental checkups with professional cleanings.
Keep your mouth moist.
Use humidifiers during the heating season.
Use a moisturizing nasal spray to control post-nasal drip, which can be
a contribution factor.
Tobacco causes bad breath, ask your dentist/doctor for tips to kick the
habit.
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Broken denture, bridge or plate
Save all the parts of your broken denture, bridge or partial and call
your dentist.
If it is possible it may be repaired or it may need to be replaced as
soon as possible. Temporary bridges, plates and dentures can keep you comfortable
until the permanent one is repaired or replaced.
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Broken, fractured, chipped tooth or filling
If the tooth is broken/chipped/fractured and there is no other damage
requiring hospital care go to the dentist within 2-3 hours. Quick action
can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive
dental treatment. The dentist can smooth minor chips. The tooth may also
need to be restored with a composite filling.
Stop any bleeding by applying direct gentle pressure to the gums. If
an upper tooth, apply pressure to the gums above the tooth. If a lower tooth,
apply pressure to the gums below the tooth. Do NOT press directly on the
broken tooth.
Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
Find the broken tooth fragments and bring the pieces with you, they may
be able to be "cemented" back together.
To avoid further aggravation from the damaged tooth, place a piece of
soft wax into the area that was chipped. You can also try Dentemp or Tempanol
for temporary filling material.
Eat only soft foods. Avoid this side of your mouth when eating. Avoid
food and drink that are hot or cold, eat only lukewarm.
Do not take aspirin or aspirin-substitutes that can slow clotting. Try
400-800 mg of Ibuprofen or 200-400 mg of Naproxen Sodium - if you are not
allergic or have any medications that could interact with these medications.
Follow instructions on the bottle and your doctors instructions.
The more the tooth is bothering you before you go to the dentist the
more difficult it is for the dentist to treat you comfortably.
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Burning gums and/or roof of mouth
Ask your doctor for a prescription for anti-viral medications.
Use Ibuprofen for pain control.
Try a topical application of 20% Benzocaine for the discomfort.
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Canker sores
Check to see if their toothpaste contains Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS).
SLS is a foaming agent that in some studies has been linked to the development
of canker sores.
The preventive measure for canker sores is to avoid eating chips and
other jagged foods that can cause tiny cuts and scrapes, which can be an
entryway for a virus. Besides that, stay away from foods that trigger canker
sores, like whole wheat, rye, barley, shellfish, pineapple, chocolate and
tomatoes.
An additional remedy is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil should be applied
directly to the infected site and can even be purchased in mouthwash form
to soothe inflammation.
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Crown comes off
Try to snap it back in.
Purchase a small tube of denture adhesive paste put a small amount in
the crown and place it back on your tooth - DO NOT USE ordinary household
glue.
Call the dentist as soon as possible to re-cement it properly.
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Dry mouth
Many medications such as antidepressants can cause this - consult with
your dentist to see if there are alternative medications that will not
cause this symptom.
Put water in a spray bottle to keep your mouth moist. Try a little Lemon
juice in the water to stimulate your saliva glands.
Chew sugarless gum to keep your mouth moist.
Use a moisturizing gel like Oralbalance.
Use a saliva substitute such as Glandosane.
Have custom-made fluoride trays made by your dentist for home application
of fluoride. Also use a fluoride mouth rinse.
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Filling lost
Cover the hole with temporary material, do not try to put the old filling
back in the tooth.
Visit the dentist as soon as possible.
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Fractured jaw
If your jaw hurts when it is moved or you cannot close your mouth in
a normal manner, immobilize the jaw with a towel or tie.
Go to the doctor/hospital. A blow to the head can be especially life
threatening to a child.
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Gum problems
Ginseng can be used to alleviate the pain associated with irritated gum
tissue. A ginseng tonic can be directly applied to the gum to promote
circulation and speed healing.
An additional home remedy suggestion is to use a wet tea bag for tooth
or gum pain. Tea contains astringent tannins, which have the power to shrink
swollen tissue and stop bleeding.
Also the tea tree oil, which should be applied directly to the infected
site and can even be purchased in mouthwash form to soothe inflammation.
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Gum surgery - cure after
After the time determined by your dentist rinse with warm salt water
(1/2 tsp. salt in 8 oz of water) to help with the discomfort.
Try taking extract vitamin C to help quicken the healing period.
Note: Smoking will delay all healing!
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Injury to the soft tissue inside the mouth
These include tear, puncture wounds or lacerations to the check, lips
or tongue.
Clean the area right away with a warm salt water.
Bleeding from the tongue can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward
and using gauze to place pressure on the wound area.
Go to the doctor/hospital if it needs stitches.
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Knocked out a tooth
Shake off debris (rinsing or scrubbing could remove important periodontal
ligament), place it in a container of milk or back in its socket and try
to reach the dentist within 30 minutes.
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Small black lesion in mouth
This could be an “amalgam tattoo” where some of the silver from
an Amalgam filling has rubbed onto the cheek.
Gently clean the area with brushing and rinsing.
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Small white lesion in mouth
Check with your dentist about this lesion because it could pre-cancerous.
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Sore gums
Purchase Peroxyl to rinse with.
Brush your teeth and gums CAREFULLY.
Call the dentist for an evaluation.
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Sore after scaling and root planning
Follow after care instructions given you.
Use fluoride rinse.
Try eating soft foods.
Continue to gently brush and clean the area well.
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Swollen jaw
Place a cold compress to the area swollen.
Call the dentist immediately as you may have an infection and need to
be on antibiotics.
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Trapped food
Something wedged between your teeth: Gentle flossing or brushing is fine,
also rinse the area with warm water and swish it about. It may loosen
whatever is causing the pain.
Alternatively, a cotton ball soaked in lime juice can be placed on the
tooth. You can also try using this poultice: steep a teaspoon of yarrow
in hot water, drain the liquid with a piece of gauze, and then put it on
the tooth.
If the object does not respond to these treatments and the surrounding
gum begins to swell, make an appointment with your dentist.
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