Bet you never knew about National Toothache Day. It’s on February 9 – and it’s a day to learn more about them, not to celebrate them. As a dentist, stopping toothaches is a big part of our business. Fortunately, we’ve got many ways to relieve your dental pain. Even better, we can help you with ways to prevent a toothache. 

Take Care of Your Toothache Until You Can See Us

One thing to try first: If food is lodged between teeth, it can cause pain. You can very gently try to remove it with dental floss. If you’re in pain, call us ASAP at 531-221-1177. We’ll do our best to see you the same day. To stay comfortable until you can see us, you can:

  • Use Ice – Applying ice packs to your face in the area that hurts can relieve your pain and also reduce any swelling. Do not use ice on the tooth itself. Chances are, it is more sensitive to temperature extremes right now. 
  • Take an OTC Pain Reliever – You can take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. If it’s your child who is hurting, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best option. Forget the folk remedy of putting aspirin right on the tooth. This won’t help with pain – and may cause more harm. 
  • Try a Topical Treatment – Topical anesthetics like Orajel contain benzocaine, a numbing agent that can deaden your discomfort. They are readily available at drug stores. Another option is clove oil. Unlike ice or aspirin, you will apply directly to your tooth. These substances are for short-term use only, though.

You’ll find some other suggestions for pain relief in this short video. 

We’ll Stop Common Sources of Toothache

Some common causes of toothache include cavities or infection (particularly in the pulp of your tooth) and injuries like cracks or breaks. The good news is, we can address all of those issues with treatment in our Valley, NE office. No matter which treatment you receive, you’ll have the option of receiving sedation. You can choose fast-acting laughing gas or ultra-relaxing IV sedation. Either one will keep you relaxed throughout your procedure. 

We’re happy to help by:

  • Mending a Cavity – Depending on the size of your cavity, your dentist can repair it with a filling, a partial crown, or a crown. These fixes will stop your pain and prevent damage from worsening. 
  • Fixing a Crack or Break – A dental crown is the usual choice for repairing a cracked or broken tooth. Crowns are so versatile, they can even replace a missing tooth when paired with a dental implant. 
  • Removing Infection – If an infection gets inside your tooth, your dentist can remove it during root canal therapy. After thoroughly disinfecting the inside of your tooth, he’ll typically seal it with a crown. 
  • Extracting a Badly Damaged Tooth – Sometimes extraction is the only logical choice. We’ll gently remove the tooth. We can talk to you about tooth replacements too. If you don’t replace a tooth, your other teeth can shift out of place and cause problems. 
  • Stopping Pain From Grinding – If you grind your teeth, the pressure can cause a lot of pain – and also damage your tooth enamel. We can provide you with a custom-made bite guard that will stop this damaging habit and help you feel better. 

Stop Toothaches Before They Can Start

Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to avoid toothaches. Daily oral hygiene is important. You need to brush at least twice a day, for two minutes each time. Floss at least once to remove substances that get in between your teeth. In addition, you should:

  • Get Regular Exams and Cleanings – Plaque and bacteria are the enemies of good oral health. They collect on your teeth, where they cause decay. You should see us every six months, so we can remove buildup you may have missed at home when brushing. An exam also lets us catch any damage in its earliest stage when it’s easiest to treat. 
  • Wear a Mouthguard for Sports – If you are involved in athletics, let us fit you for a mouthguard. A custom-made guard does a better job of preventing damage than one purchased from a store. 
  • Never Use Your Teeth as Tools – Don’t open packages with your teeth! It’s a very common cause of dental damage. If you bite your nails, stop. And don’t crunch down on ice or other hard substances. 

Stopping toothaches is our business! If you need help, call us ASAP at 531-221-1177. You can also schedule online.