| Toothache
Tooth
decay is the primary cause of toothaches for most children
and adults. Bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on the
sugars and starches in the food you eat. These bacteria form
a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of your teeth.
Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the
hard, white coating on the outside of your teeth (enamel),
creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation
of pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot.
A toothache often indicates that your dentist will need to
work on your teeth.
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Tips
for Toothache
-
Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your
teeth.
- Take
an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to dull the ache.
- Apply
an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated
tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Direct application
of oil of cloves (eugenol) also may help.
- Don't
place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums,
as it may burn your gum tissue.
- Swelling,
pain when you bite, a foul-tasting discharge and redness indicate
infection. See your dentist as soon as possible.
- Call
your dentist if:
The pain persists for more than a day or two.
You have fever with the toothache.
Tooth
loss: First aid
If your tooth is knocked out, get emergency dental care. It's sometimes
possible to remedy tooth loss by successfully reimplanting permanent
teeth that have been knocked out. But this is an option only if
you act quickly.
If your tooth is knocked out:
Handle your tooth by the top only, not the roots.
Don't rub it or scrape it to remove dirt.
Gently rinse your tooth in a bowl of tap water. Don't hold it under
running water.
Try to replace your tooth in the socket. Then bite down gently on
gauze or a moistened tea bag to help keep it in place.
If you can't replace your tooth in the socket, immediately place
it in whole milk, your own saliva or a warm, mild saltwater solution
(1/4 teaspoon salt to 1 quart water).
Get medical attention from a dentist or emergency room immediately.
If you participate in contact sports, you can often prevent tooth
loss by wearing a mouth guard, fitted by your dentist.
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