More often than not, a localized pain in a tooth, gums or jaw is a warning sign that something is seriously wrong in your mouth. The most common cause of toothache is advanced tooth decay or infection in the gums near the root of a tooth.
If you have a toothache you should contact us immediately to help determine the best course of action. If you can’t contact us immediately there are a few things you can do to help mitigate pain and discomfort.
If a toothache that was caused by a blow to the face might cause a little swelling. You can make a cold compress by placing a small amount of ice in a zip-top bag wrapped in a washcloth. When held lightly to the cheek 15 to 20 minutes, it can help reduce the swelling. Try not to hold it to your face for longer than 20 minutes as the cold can also irritate and harm your skin. If you have debris in your mouth you can also try to rinse the area with lukewarm salt water.
Topical oral anesthetic can also be lightly massaged onto the gums to help numb the area.
The sooner you can get to your dentist the better the chances are we can assess the situation to help alleviate the pain. If you have a toothache you should call us at 440-884-9898 to schedule an appointment.