6 Mistakes You Make When You Have A Toothache

Toothaches are very common. Unfortunately, they can be brought about by a number of reasons, some more serious than others. Toothaches usually feel different depending on the cause of the pain. When trying to find out the underlying cause for your toothache, you should consider the severity of the pain, how long it lasts, and events that trigger the pain.

Whether or not you are able to figure out the reason for your toothache, there are several things you should refrain from doing to avoid aggravating the situation:

1. 1. Fail to keep a record of the painIt is important to note the times, duration, frequency, and intensity of pain associated with the pain to help the dentist make a proper diagnosis of the problem.
   2. Ignore the painThe pain associated with toothaches tends to go away at varying intervals, so it is common to simply ignore that pain and only bear with it when it comes. Some pain can seem to disappear, like when a pimple on the side of your gum suddenly pops, relieving the pain that was causing the adjacent tooth to hurt. The initial cause of the pain could be due to an infection, signifying that you need endodontic treatment.
   3. Eating irritating foodsIt is important that you avoid eating hard, cold, hot, or sweet foods and drinks until you visit the dentist.
   4. Mask the problemEasy access to over-the-counter pain medication and homemade pain remedies can help you manage dental pain. However, repeatedly using drugs and other tactics to manage the pain does not address the underlying cause of the toothache. You need to visit your dentist and identify and fix the root problem. Also, do not overdose on any painkillers or place them directly on the site of the pain, as this may cause chemical burns.
   5. Fail to visit a dentistPain caused by sensitivity to hot and cold liquids could mean that you need a fairly inexpensive filling. However, bearing with the pain until you need a dental emergency could end up costing you the tooth, followed by a costly dental implant, or saving the tooth with a costly root canal procedure. So, it is best to get the problem diagnosed and fixed as early as possible.
   6. Remove the toothIt is important to keep all your teeth, even when it seems easier to extract a broken or damaged tooth. Extracting a tooth can start a series of negative effects. Other teeth will begin to shift, creating spaces between the remaining teeth and increasing the risk for periodontal disease. You will also lose the function of a similarly placed tooth on the opposite jaw, age your face prematurely by causing the arch to collapse, and it will cost you more to replace it with a bridge, denture or implant.

Final note

While not all toothaches are associated with a dental problem, keeping your dental appointments can help you discover problems in your mouth and other parts of your body that could cause problems for you later on.