Treatments For Dental Pain

By Pramila Murthy, DDS

Many of us have suffered the unpleasant experience of the dreaded toothache. Dental pain is stressful and especially unique, since it has the ability to disrupt many of our daily living activities. Oral pain can radiate to cause pain in our head and neck and can range from mild sensitivity to severe, debilitating pain. Brushing our teeth and gums too hard or grinding our teeth together can cause enamel to wear down, leading to sensitive, painful teeth. Primary causes of dental pain include tooth decay, nerve infection, cracked tooth, trauma, gum disease, abscesses and mouth sores.

Many people suffer with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, a condition that causes jaw muscle pain, headaches, earaches, and even neck pain. Fortunately, there are many treatments available that can help diminish or eliminate dental pain so that we can return to our busy lives.

A visit to the dentist is the first critical step in determining the cause of the pain that is present in your mouth. Your dentist will perform a detailed oral examination and take any radiographs necessary to diagnose the cause and determine the location of your pain. The dentist can then decide what level of pain control you will require.

Your dentist may prescribe a pain medication, such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or a narcotic drug, and an antibiotic, if an infection is present. In-office treatments may involve dental fillings, root canals or tooth removal. Sometimes, a thorough dental cleaning is the solution.

If you are unable to see your dentist right away, various at-home remedies can be tried to temporarily alleviate the pain and provide comfort. Brushing your teeth and flossing gently, rinsing with warm salt water, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, applying an over-the-counter topical anesthetic like benzocaine or clove oil directly to the affected area, or applying an ice pack can all help to reduce your discomfort.

If you notice that you have a fever, large abscess or experience difficulty in breathing or swallowing, you should go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

The best and most important way to avoid dental pain is, of course, through prevention. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss between your teeth, and visit your dentist twice a year for an examination and professional cleaning. This will allow your dentist to catch any issues before they become a much bigger problem!