February 9 is National Toothache Day. It’s not meant to celebrate toothaches, of course, but to highlight the many ways toothaches can be corrected and prevented. Toothaches don’t go away by themselves. If you have pain that you’re struggling with, don’t wait to see your Johns Creek dentist. The more you drag your feet, the worse the problem is likely to get.
Correct a Toothache
Tooth pain can be excruciating. The throbbing, the shooting pain while eating or drinking, the never-ending discomfort. If you are experiencing any sort of toothache, you have a dental problem. The only way to make it go away is to address what’s going on, as soon as possible.
Depending on the severity and source of your toothache, there are many different solutions:
- Tooth-colored filling. If you have a cavity, the decay must be drilled away so the tooth can be fixed. A tooth-colored white filling will be used to repair the affected tooth enamel. This repair leaves you with a complete, natural-looking tooth and eliminates tooth pain.
- Root canal therapy. Tooth pain that runs deep has found its way to the root of your tooth. Once infected, this intricate area will pulse with pain until the problem is rectified. Root canal therapy removes the root of the tooth and cleans the canals meticulously. It’s likely that the treated tooth will need a porcelain crown to cover it so the area remains free of bacteria and infection.
- Tooth extraction. For some patients, tooth extraction is a last resort. For other patients, it’s the only option. Allowing a toothache to fester and grow only makes it more likely that extreme measures will have to be taken to eliminate the pain you’re experiencing. Tooth extractions are often recommended in the case of trauma, severe infection or decay, gum disease, bone fracture, or root breakage.
Prevent a Toothache
Ideally, you’re a dental patient who does all they can to care for their teeth daily to prevent a toothache from occurring. But no one is perfect. Even with the most diligent oral health care you can still wind up with a cavity. Making the effort, however, is the best way to improve your chances for good oral health.
- Brush and floss. You should brush at least twice daily and floss once a day. There are food particles stuck in between that you might not be able to see, but if they’re allowed to stick around they’ll do the hard work of plaque and tartar and eat away at your tooth enamel. Brushing and flossing are easy and they don’t take a great deal of time. Commit to good dental care at home to avoid toothaches.
- See your dentist regularly. Visiting your Johns Creek dentist twice a year for a full cleaning and exam ensures that your teeth are scoured and problem areas are identified. Your dentist will be able to recognize problems faster than you can, which means any potential for severe toothaches can be avoided with early intervention and treatment.
Keep Yourself Toothache Free
If you’re experiencing any tooth pain, schedule a consultation with your Johns Creek dentist Dr. Mitul Patel. If you’re in severe pain, contact us immediately to find out if you have a dental emergency and need to be seen right away.
