What is Dental Pain
Dental pain may be caused by many things, including:
- Tooth decay (cavities or caries). Cavities cause the nerve of your tooth to be open to air and hot or cold temperatures. This can cause pain or discomfort.
- Abscess or infection. A dental abscess is an area that is full of infected pus from a bacterial infection in the inner part of the tooth (pulp). It usually happens at the end of the tooth’s root.
- Injury.
- An unknown reason (idiopathic).
Your pain may be mild or severe. It may only happen when:
- You are chewing.
- You are exposed to hot or cold temperature.
- You
are eating or drinking sugary foods or beverages, such as:
- Soda.
- Candy.
Your pain may also be there all of the time.
Follow these instructions at home:
Watch your dental pain for any changes. Do these things to lessen your discomfort:
- Take medicines only as told by your dentist.
- If your dentist tells you to take an antibiotic medicine, finish all of it even if you start to feel better.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your dentist. This is important.
- Do notapply heat to the outside of your face.
- Rinse
your mouth or gargle with salt water if told by your dentist. This helps
with pain and swelling.
- You can make salt water by adding ¼ tsp of salt to 1 cup of warm water.
- Apply
ice to the painful area of your face:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
- Avoid
foods or drinks that cause you pain, such as:
- Very hot or very cold foods or drinks.
- Sweet or sugary foods or drinks.
Contact a doctor if:
- Your pain is not helped with medicines.
- Your symptoms are worse.
- You have new symptoms.
Get help right away if:
- You cannot open your mouth.
- You are having trouble breathing or swallowing.
- You have a fever.
- Your face, neck, or jaw is puffy (swollen).
