A toothache can unexpectedly disrupt your comfort and daily plans. Often, when a sharp or throbbing toothache strikes, the first thought is how to relieve the pain or what the best painkillers are.
Although remedies that soothe a toothache can provide temporary relief, they do not eliminate the root cause of the problem. If you are wondering how to get rid of a toothache for good, the right and only safe solution is to see a dentist in time. Ignoring a toothache for a long period can lead to complete destruction of the tooth crown or other complications, such as a cyst under the tooth, damage to surrounding gum tissue, and the spread of infection.
Experienced and highly qualified dentists do everything possible to save natural teeth, including treating cavities and root canals, root canal therapy (nerve removal), fillings, or placing a dental crown if the tooth structure is severely degraded.
When is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Not every toothache leads to an extraction. Very often, the problem can be resolved with root canal treatment (endodontic therapy) and a filling, which allows the tooth root to be preserved and the crown to be restored. However, there are situations when a tooth extraction is unavoidable:
- Dental Abscess and Infection: When an infection spreads deep into the tissues and causes a purulent abscess, any delay can become a dangerous emergency for your entire body.
- Tooth Cyst: If inflammatory nodules form at the tip of the root, a tooth removal may sometimes be required to save the surrounding bone and tissue.
- Severe Decay: When the crown portion of the tooth is completely destroyed and cannot be restored with an inlay or a dental crown.
What to Do When a Wisdom Tooth Hurts
Almost everyone is familiar with wisdom tooth pain. These teeth often erupt at an incorrect angle, crowd neighboring teeth, or remain trapped beneath the gumline, causing painful complications. In many cases, a wisdom tooth does not cause any issues on its own, but if it starts hurting, the first and most important step is to see a dentist, as wisdom tooth removal is considered a highly specialized surgical procedure.
Strictly Prohibited:
- Applying Heat to the Jaw: Never apply warm or heating pads to the aching tooth, as this can accelerate the inflammatory process.
- Placing Medication on the Gums: Pain relief pills should never be placed directly on the gum, as this can cause chemical burns to the oral mucosa.
In case of acute episodes of toothache or swollen gums, contact a specialist immediately. It may simply require a small gum incision (to help the tooth erupt properly) or a full tooth extraction.
Painless Dentistry: Tooth Extraction Under Sedation / General Anesthesia
Many people prefer to endure a toothache and dull it with painkillers, delaying their dental visit out of fear. However, modern dental clinics offer tooth extraction under sedation (sleep dentistry). This is an excellent option for those with dental anxiety (dentophobia) or in cases where multiple extractions are planned in a single visit. With general anesthesia or deep sedation, you simply sleep through the procedure and wake up once it is successfully completed.
What to Do Before Your Dental Visit
In many cases, a toothache becomes unbearable at night when regular clinics are closed. Fortunately, there are 24/7 emergency dental clinics in Yerevan where you can seek treatment during the night and even on holidays or weekends.
To slightly relieve the toothache before you see the doctor, the following measures are safe to take:
- Salt or Soda Rinses: Dissolve 1 tsp of salt or baking soda in a glass of lukewarm water and gently rinse your mouth. This helps reduce inflammation.
- Cold Compress: Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a towel) from the outside onto your cheek for 15 minutes on and off.
- Painkillers: You can take ibuprofen or paracetamol, strictly following the recommended dosage.
- Oral Hygiene: Carefully clean the area around the tooth with a soft brush to prevent food debris accumulation and the spread of infection.
What to Do After a Tooth Extraction
The success of the procedure also depends heavily on post-operative care. Here are a few essential rules:
- Do not eat or drink for 2 hours following the extraction.
- Avoid hot, spicy, and hard foods for the first few days.
- Do not rinse your mouth vigorously to avoid dislodging the protective blood clot.
- Use prescribed toothache medications and remedies strictly as directed by your dentist.
Important: If you are suffering from an unbearable toothache, do not attempt self-treatment. This can cause the infection to spread.
Do not put your health on hold. Book your appointment today and get rid of toothache once and for all!
