Can You Prevent a Toothache?

Toothaches are one of the most nagging and uncomfortable feelings a person can have. Whether caused by something stuck between your teeth, sinus pressure, or a more serious infection, it never seems as if you can truly relieve the pain. But what if there was a way you could prevent a toothache? Is it possible? To find out, listen to an emergency dentist who explains what you should do if one occurs as well as what tools and techniques you can use at home to keep your teeth pain-free.  

Can You Prevent a Toothache?

The short answer is yes! It is possible to prevent a toothache from occurring, but if you’re wondering how, let us explain.

There are a few helpful tips that will decrease your risk of experiencing this searing, piercing, or aching pain, some of which include:

• Maintaining good oral hygiene: Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste will strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay and cavities. Flossing at least once before you go to bed will ensure no bad bacteria or food particles are between your teeth, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash will flush out anything left behind.
• Avoiding too many sugary or starchy foods: An overabundance of sugar and starch can cause bacteria to spread and eat away at the enamel of your teeth. As a result, decay can form within your tooth and result in an infection that will require the assistance of an emergency dentist to remove and treat.

When to Seek Help from an Emergency Dentist

Even if you are diligent about your oral hygiene and eat a well-balanced diet, it is possible to still have a toothache. While this isn’t great news, it’s reality, so what do you do when this happens? If your toothache pain goes away on its own, you might be tempted to skip the dentist’s office, but this isn’t a good idea. Just because the discomfort dissipates doesn’t mean there isn’t an underlying cause that resulted in a toothache in the first place. To determine if anything is going on underneath the gum line, your dentist will need to visually examine your mouth as well as look at X-rays to make sure there is no infection inside the tooth.

If so, there are a few different methods of treatment that can be used to take care of the problem (i.e. root canal therapy, tooth extraction), but it will be up to your emergency dentist to determine which one is right for you.

A toothache might seem like something you shouldn’t worry too much about but unfortunately, it can be the first sign that something more serious is occurring within your mouth. It’s always best to contact your dentist’s office to alert them to the situation. From there, they can decide if you need to come in for an emergency visit or if you can treat the problem at home.

About the Practice
AAt Boyles General Dentistry, our team of dental professionals believes in providing a superior approach to treatment. Offering preventive services to help you maintain a healthy smile and avoid future dental problems, we will go above and beyond to ensure your teeth and gums are decay- and disease-free each time you visit. But should a simple toothache or other more serious dental emergency occur, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We are here to help, so make sure to visit our website or call (432) 366-0896.