Have you recently noticed that a tooth feels more sensitive or has begun to feel painful? If so, it is time to call your dentist. It is important not to delay, as tooth pain is a sign that something is wrong. Putting off treatment could worsen the situation and mean you need emergency dental care in Oshawa. One thing that you can almost guarantee is that dental emergencies never happen at convenient times.
Margolian Dentistry makes every effort to see patients in pain as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. When you contact our dental office, we can schedule an appointment at a convenient time, and if we can’t see you right away, we can offer advice on pain relief. However, sometimes the pain can fade, and if this is the case, please don’t cancel your appointment. Any damage to your tooth cannot repair itself and can continue to worsen, so eventually, the pain will return.
Here are some dos and don’ts on easing tooth decay pain until you can come and see us.
Avoid Foods That Can Worsen Tooth Sensitivity
Because tooth decay exposes the inner part of the tooth, it can make eating and drinking uncomfortable or even painful. Avoid drinking hot or cold beverages and give acidic, sweet or sour foods a miss. Also, sugary and acidic foods can worsen tooth decay. Acidic foods include citrus fruits and drinks, tomatoes, carbonated beverages, dried fruit, pickled foods including vinegar, flavoured tea and anything that tastes sour.
Taking Pain Relief for Tooth Decay
When you contact us, we can tell you if it is okay to take over-the-counter pain relief based on your medical history and the medications currently used. It’s important to never put pain relief medication directly on the gum or tooth as it can turn your gum tissue. Another option is to use oil of cloves for tooth pain relief in Whitby. Oil of cloves is also called eugenol and can provide pain-relieving and antibacterial properties. Eugenol can be found in health food stores, and it’s best to soak a small piece of cotton with the substance, blotting it carefully on a tissue to remove the excess. Hold it against the painful tooth for 10 seconds, ensuring you do not swallow the oil.
Looking after Your Oral Health
Even though your mouth may feel painful, it’s important not to avoid brushing or flossing around the affected tooth. Keeping your mouth clean will help lessen the pain. It can also be useful to try gently flossing between painful teeth. Getting rid of plaque and food particles can help reduce the pain. Instead of brushing your teeth with cold water, try using warm water instead, especially if your teeth feel very sensitive.
What to Expect When You Come and See Us
When you see us, we can examine the tooth gently, determine the reason for the pain and sensitivity and provide a suitable treatment plan to relieve your discomfort and save and restore the tooth. Hopefully, it will be possible to restore the tooth with just a simple filling, but if the decay is more extensive, you might need root canal therapy to remove the infected tooth nerve and tissues extending into your root canals in your tooth roots. If this is the case, there is no need to worry, as root canal therapy shouldn’t feel any worse than having an ordinary filling, but it does take longer because it is a technique-sensitive procedure. You may need more than one appointment with our dentist in Ajax to complete treatment.
