Dealing with a toothache? Here are the steps you should take.
Tooth pain is certainly not something to mess with and it certainly isn’t something to ignore. After all, dental pain of any kind can be a sign of serious oral health problems that won’t get better until treated by a qualified dental professional like our own Sequim, WA, dentist Dr. E. Richard Zbaraschuk.
Of course, we also know that dental pain can usually appear at the worst of times (aka: in the middle of the night). When this happens, here are some simple solutions to ease your pain until you can come into our office,
- Using an over-the-counter topical oral anesthetic like Orajel™. This can be purchased from your local drugstore without a prescription and can numb the pain; however, remember that this will not treat the problem, or temporarily alleviate your symptoms.
- Rinse your mouth out with saltwater. To do this, mix 1/2 teaspoon of regular salt with an 8-ounce glass of water. Swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out (do not swallow the saltwater). The salt can alleviate some of the pain and swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen, which can also reduce pain and swelling. Do not try and rub the medication directly on the tooth or gums, as this could actually damage the soft tissue.
- If you notice that your face is a bit swollen, you can also apply a cold compress to that side of the face. This is common in those who have knocked out a tooth or chipped a tooth. If there is no damage to the tooth but you are dealing with facial swelling and a toothache, this could be a sign of a dental abscess.
It is important that you see your Sequim, WA, dentist right away if you are dealing with a toothache. After all, this is considered a dental emergency. Why? Because a toothache could mean,
- A cavity
- Gum disease
- A cracked or broken tooth
- An infected or abscessed tooth
- An impacted wisdom tooth
- A damaged dental filling
If you are dealing with a toothache or other dental emergency our Sequim, WA, family dentist is here to provide you with urgent dental care. Give the team at Zbaraschuk Dental Care a call right away at (360) 683-3626.