A toothache is your body’s way of telling you something has gone wrong in your mouth. There is no convenient time or place to get a toothache, but we always strive to see our toothache patients as soon as possible. But chances are you won’t be at our office when a toothache strikes, so here are a few things NOT to do between when you notice the discomfort and when you see the dentist.

Ignore the Toothache & Hope It Gets Better

Spoiler alert: it won’t just get better on its own. It’s possible that if you use home toothache remedies you can reduce your discomfort, but that doesn’t mean that you’ve fixed the underlying problem that caused the toothache in the first place. If there is a singular truth to oral health it is this: nothing ever gets better by putting off seeing the dentist.

Take Anti-Inflammatory Painkillers the Wrong Way

Yes, there is a right and wrong way to take painkillers when you have a toothache! The best option is to take ibuprofen (Advil) consistently and don’t stop when the pain starts getting better. Taking the indicated dose regularly until you see the dentist will prevent swelling from coming back and causing more discomfort. We should note that not everyone can take ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to health concerns. Chances are you know if you can’t take NSAIDs, but please ask your primary care doctor if you aren’t sure.

Downplay Signs of a More Serious Situation

There are a few symptoms that may accompany a toothache that are serious and may require a visit to urgent care or the ER. These include a fever, severe swelling, eyes swelling shut, trouble breathing or swallowing. All of these are signs of a serious infection or injury that could be life-threatening in extreme and rare situations. Please don’t take a chance: if you have these symptoms, go to the hospital first and call us after.

Wait to Call the Dentist

Even if it’s a Sunday night or a national holiday, don’t hesitate to call us. If you don’t get someone on the phone right away, you can leave a message about what’s going on and your phone number, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The sooner we know about your situation, the sooner we can help!

Your mouth has many ways of letting you know that something has changed or may be wrong. Nevertheless, when we ask patients whether anything is bothering them about their smile, we find out they’ve been dealing with symptoms for a while! If you have any of the symptoms described below, please make an appointment to come see us so we can make sure we keep your smile happy and healthy.

Toothache or Other Oral Pain

Perhaps it should be obvious that pain sometimes your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong, and the same is true of your mouth. You should not ignore tooth pain, especially if it is persistent and lasts for several days. Toothaches could be the sign of decay, a cracked tooth, or an infection. One thing we know is that oral pain isn’t something that usually gets better on its own. It’s worth a trip to the dentist to investigate the problem as soon as possible.

Bleeding Gums When Brushing or Flossing

We find that some patients have heard conflicted messages on this topic. Bleeding gums is common, but that does not mean that it is normal. If you notice blood when you brush or floss, that may be an early sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Take it as a sign that you need to have a conversation with the dentist about your oral health habits and what can be done to get your gums back to full health.

Tooth Sensitivity That Doesn’t Go Away

Occasional tooth sensitivity is not necessarily a sign of a big problem, but you should discuss your symptoms with your dentist no matter what. Sensitivity to hot, cold or sugary foods can be a sign of tooth decay. However, tooth sensitivity can also come and go naturally over time. If you have persistent trouble with sensitivity, you may be damaging your enamel by brushing too hard. A chat with the dentist about your tooth sensitivity is a good way to come up with a plan to address this issue so you can go back to enjoying all the foods and drinks you love without discomfort.

If you have any question at all about your oral health, don’t wait to have a conversation with us. Dentistry works the same way as most other things in life: if you think something is wrong, it will be easier (and usually cheaper) to fix if you take care of it early, rather than ignoring it and letting it get worse! We won’t chastise you for not taking good care of your mouth or tell you that you did something wrong. Instead, we will do our best to make sure your teeth are healthy and functional.