If you’ve ever had a toothache before, you probably understand how uncomfortable the pain can be, especially when it lasts for hours or days. Steady achiness can put you in a world of hurt—and tooth pain can also wear you down. Wouldn’t you prefer to avoid these scenarios altogether?
We’re going to talk about the steps you can take to help prevent tooth pain and maintain strong oral health. Plus, we’ll discuss ways to get fast pain relief when you do have a toothache and address some common questions about what can help tooth pain or strengthen your chompers.
Triggers for Toothache Pain
Toothache pain can happen for several reasons. Some possible causes include:
- A dental injury or infection may cause your teeth to hurt.
- If you recently had your wisdom teeth pulled, you will almost certainly experience toothache pain.
- Developing cavities or eroded enamel
- Tooth sensitivity when exposed to hot or cold food or beverages.
And that’s just an appetizer. There are numerous triggers for tooth pain, which may explain why they’re fairly common. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 40 percent of adults say they have had tooth pain within the last year.
You can learn more about the root (no pun intended) cause of tooth pain and the symptoms that typically accompany toothaches—which (in addition to tooth pain) may include achy jaws and bad breath. If you do have tooth pain, Orajel™ Gels, Creams, & Rinses can help provide effective relief and soothe oral pain.
Can Stress Cause Tooth Pain?
Yes, stress can cause tooth pain. Stress can create unconscious tension in your jaw, which may result in tooth grinding and pain. Anxiety can also contribute to heightened tooth sensitivity.
If you are under duress and have a toothache from grinding teeth, try Orajel™ Gels, Creams, & Rinses to get effective pain relief.
How to Avoid Tooth Pain
While there are several triggers for tooth pain, there are also some simple things you can do to avoid this discomfort. Here are some tips for how to help prevent toothaches—starting with the most routine activities in oral health care.
Brush & Floss Your Teeth Daily
It cannot be said enough: brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is a crucial component of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Both activities can help to remove plaque buildup, which can result in infections, cavities, and other issues that often cause oral pain.
You want to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes apiece, making sure to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and using small, circular strokes. And be careful not to brush too hard. Doing so may cause gum recession over time.
Not keen on flossing more than once in a blue moon, or do you simply think it’s a gross activity? The American Dental Association recommends flossing every day. While brushing is a necessity, flossing is also a requirement because it helps to clean plaque between your teeth. Don’t you find that’s where food typically gets stuck anyway? Grab some dental floss and get to work.
You can also turn to mouthwash as part of your morning or nightly staple as a means of maintaining healthy oral habits. Just remember that mouthwash should never be considered a substitute for brushing and flossing.
Drink Lots of Water
Not only is drinking water an important part of staying hydrated and helping to keep your body functioning properly. It also has ample benefits that can help you avoid tooth pain.
For starters, most of the water we drink contains at least some fluoride content. As you may know, fluoride can help protect your teeth against tooth decay and make them more resistant to acid. Additionally, the CDC suggests that many communities “adjust” the fluoride content in drinking water to a level where it is effective in helping to prevent tooth decay and elevate good oral health.
Water can help wash away leftover food and other residue that may become sustenance for bacteria in your mouth—particularly things that are sugary or acidic. Similarly, drinking water helps stimulate saliva production and thus lessens your chances of getting dry mouth—which can put you at risk for tooth decay.
Clean Your Tongue
We’ve talked at length about the importance of cleaning your teeth and gums. But you should also set aside time to clean your tongue. Bacteria in your mouth can live on the tongue. So, cleaning your tongue can help remove these bacteria. You can clean your tongue using your toothbrush when you brush your teeth, or you can try a tongue scraper. In addition to getting rid of bacteria, cleaning your tongue can help get rid of the bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Visit the Dentist
Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups is essential in helping to maintain proper oral health and also gain clarity for any possible issues affiliated with toothache pain, like cavities. You should see your dentist at least once a year and make an appointment if your toothache does not subside within a week.
How to Deal with Tooth Pain
Feeling all the aches and pains of a toothache? Orajel™ products are here to help! Whether you prefer a gel, cream, or mouth rinse, Orajel™ products come in a variety of formats to help relieve tooth pain:
Home remedies like saltwater rinses and chewing garlic cloves can also help with temporary toothache pain relief. Remember that you still want to brush your teeth even when you have toothache pain. Just make sure to brush gently so as not to irritate affected areas and your gums.
Can a Toothache Cause Ear Pain?
Since the jaw joint and ear are closely linked, you may experience a toothache if you have an earache, which is called “referred” pain - but you won’t necessarily have ear pain just from a toothache. If you have tooth pain and ear pain on the same side, it may be a sign that you have a dental issue, like an infection, cavity, or abscessed tooth. Consult your dentist if you have tooth and ear pain.
Does Holding Water in Your Mouth Help with Toothaches?
Holding cold water in your mouth can act as a cold compress that can help temporarily relieve toothache pain. The temperature partially numbs pain-sensing nerves in the tooth pulp, the part of your tooth that becomes irritated and causes tooth pain.
You can try holding cold water in your mouth or use other cold compresses, like ice packs, to help temporarily relieve tooth pain.
Temper Toothache Pain & Use Orajel™ Medicated Remedies for Relief!
Practicing good oral hygiene, visiting your dentist, and taking stock of what food and drink you consume are all fairly simple ways to help avoid tooth pain. And, if you do have a toothache, use Orajel™ products so you can get the pain relief you need to feel like yourself again!
