Visiting your dentist every six months decreases your chances of developing severe tooth decay capable of causing a painful toothache. If you have missed visits, your risk of experiencing a dental emergency due to a large cavity significantly increases.
To avoid a painful toothache, always keep your routine appointments and call the dentist at the first sign of discomfort.
Call your dentist to get the next available appointment. Explain that this is an emergency and that you are in pain. If you wait, you almost guarantee the need for complex treatment that includes root canal therapy or extraction. A simple filling is usually sufficient to restore a tooth with decay if treated quickly.
Use a topical pain reliever and an over-the-counter analgesic to relieve discomfort until you get to the dental office. If your toothache occurs on the weekend and you have an established relationship with the dentist, they may be able to call in a prescription strength pain reliever.
Don’t Underestimate the Impact of a Toothache
A toothache rarely resolves on its own. It’s vital to have the cause of your pain evaluated to receive proper treatment. If an abscess has developed, surrounding teeth and soft tissue are at a huge risk of infection.
Saving Your Tooth
Root canal therapy may be required to restore strength and function to the tooth if a simple filling is inadequate to correct the issue. This procedure is designed to remove damaged nerve endings and infection inside the tooth and alleviate pain. Root canal therapy is usually followed by the placement of a dental crown. In cases of large cavities that have not reached the pulp, a crown alone may be sufficient to restore the tooth.
The Longer You Wait, the More You Pay
While root canal therapy may have an initial upfront cost that’s greater than a simple extraction, saving the tooth prevents complex dental procedures to replace the natural tooth root. Further, those that fail to save a tooth may also experience greater costs to their health, leading to jawbone resorption and unevenly spaced teeth.
Establish a relationship with a compassionate and experienced dentist. Be sure to visit them regularly and care properly for your teeth at home. Healthy teeth offer many benefits including the ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.