FONT SIZE
T
T
T
Healthy Tip: Toothace Dental Emergencies
Toothache is pain in or around a tooth. A toothache is generally the result of dental cavities (tooth decay) or sometimes an infection. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene, although the tendency tget tooth decay is partly inherited.
Sometimes, pain in other locations is perceived as occurring in the teeth (this is called referred pain or radiating pain)
Common Causes
- Tooth decay
- Abscessed tooth
- Earache
- Injury tthe jaw or mouth
- Heart attack (can include jaw pain, neck pain, or toothache)
- Sinusitis
Home Care
Over-the-counter pain medications may be used while waiting tsee the dentist or primary health care provider.
For toothaches caused by a tooth abscess, the dentist may recommend antibiotic therapy and other treatments, like root canal.
Tprevent tooth decay, use good oral hygiene. A low sugar diet is recommended along with regular flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and regular professional cleaning. Sealants and fluoride applications by the dentist are important for preventing tooth decay.
If your tooth has been knocked out :
Rinse the tooth with clear water.
If possible (and if you're alert), gently put it back in the socket or hold it under your tongue.
Otherwise, put the tooth in a glass of milk.
Try tget ta dentist within 30 minutes of the accident.
For a broken, loose, or missing tooth :
Treduce swelling, apply a cold compress tthe area.
Save any broken tooth fragments, and take them tthe dentist.
For a fractured jaw :
Tsecure the jaw, close your mouth and secure the jaw with a necktie, towel, or scarf tied around
your head and chin.
Treduce pain and swelling, hold an ice pack against the fractured bone.
Gta dentist or hospital emergency room immediately.
Call your health care provider if
there is a persistent (longer than a day or 2) or severe toothache.
there is a fever, earache, or pain upon opening the mouth wide.
Note: The dentist is an appropriate person tsee for most causes of toothaches. However, if the problem is referred pain from another location, you may need tsee your primary health care provider.
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting toothache in detail may include the following:
- Time pattern: When did the pain start?
- Quality: How severe is the pain?
- Location:
- Where is the pain located?
- Does it involve the jaw or ears?
- Does it radiate tother parts of the body, such as the neck, shoulder, or arm?
- Aggravating factors:
- What makes it worse?
- Is it worse after cold foods or liquids?
- Is it worse after sweet foods or liquids?
- Is it worse after chewing?
- Is it worse after drinking?
- Is it worse when you touch the area?
- Is it worse after physical exertion?
- Does the pain wake you up at night?
- Relieving factors:
- What helps?
- Is it better after you use medications? (Which ones?)
- Is it better after you use a heating pad?
- Is it better after you rest?
- Other: What other symptoms and factors are alspresent?
- Fever ?
- Previous dental problems?
- Nausea?
- Sweating?
- Indigestion?
- Chest pain?
- Bleeding?
- Additional important information
- What medications are being taken?
- Have there been any injuries?
- When was the last checkup with the dentist?
The physical examination may include an examination of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, throat, ears, nose, throat, and neck. Dental X-rays may need tbe performed. Other tests may be recommended depending on the suspected cause.
The dentist will fill cavities or extract the tooth if necessary. Root canals might be performed if the problem is severe in both the primary and permanent teeth. If there is a fever or swelling of the jaw, an antibiotic will usually be prescribed.
loading...
