Dental pain or toothache is one of the most common symptoms which brings individuals to meet a dentist in Quincy. It also makes a large component of dental emergencies. A multitude of causes underlie toothaches and almost everyone has experienced it at some point in their lives.

Causes Of Toothache

• Tooth Decay: cavities and dental caries are the most common cause of toothache
• Infection or abscess in the root of the tooth
• Trauma to the teeth
• Impacted Teeth: When a tooth has trouble growing through the gums it can get stuck and cause pain
• Gum Disease Or Gingivitis: infection and inflammation of the gums
• Sensitive Teeth: Exposure to heat or cold causes pain, this is generally due to disease of the roots of the teeth
• Sinus Infection: This can present with pain in the upper mouth appearing as a toothache

Only the dentist in Quincy with extensive experience can determine the cause of this toothache.

Evaluation Of Toothache

On presenting to a dentist in Quincy, the cause of your toothache would be evaluated by the following

• Dental Examination
• Imaging: a panoramic radiograph is an X-ray of the upper and lower jaw that can identify impacted teeth, fractures, and abscesses in the roots.

Treatment Of Toothache

Prior to meeting a dentist in Quincy, the following measures can be taken to relieve the pain.

• Rinse and clean the mouth with warm water.
• Gentle flossing can be attempted to remove food debris.
• A cold compress can be applied externally for pain following trauma.
• An over the counter pain killer can be taken.
• Avoid applying any medicines or creams directly over the tooth. Aspirin and other local medicines can cause the burning of the gums.
• Benzocaine, a local anaesthetic can be applied lightly but carries a risk of getting absorbed into the bloodstream to cause methemoglobinemia. This decreases the oxygen carriage of the blood.

Treatment Specific To The Cause Will Be Administered By The Dentist

• Tooth Decay: Filling, crowning, or extraction of the tooth
• Impacted Tooth: Extraction
• Abscess: Root canal treatment

For long term care of your teeth from preventable causes of toothache, maintenance of oral hygiene is recommended with brushing twice a day and flossing once daily by the American Dental Association.

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