Reasons For Toothache May Include:
- Tooth decay when bacteria wears down tooth enamel, this can expose the more sensitive dentine layer underneath
- Gum disease if gingivitis develops into more severe gum disease, this can cause the gums to recede and teeth to ache and come loose
- Root canal infection if tooth decay or other damage reaches the soft centre of the tooth , this can cause severe tooth pain and sensitivity
- Chipped or cracked tooth injuries to teeth can cause pain and sensitivity and may leave the tooth open to infection
- Loose or broken filling if part of a filling, crown or other dental work comes loose or falls out, this can leave the underlying tooth vulnerable
- Dental abscess severe tooth decay or gum disease can cause a painful abscess to develop inside the gum
- Impacted wisdom tooth if a wisdom tooth or other tooth is stuck inside the gum, this can be painful and also cause swelling
- Teeth grinding if you grind or clench your teeth when you sleep , this can put strain on your teeth and cause them to hurt in the morning
- Mouth ulcer an ulcer can cause pain in nearby teeth
- Sinus infection pressure or swelling in the sinuses may cause toothache, especially in the upper jaw
- Jaw problems a misaligned jaw or other problems with the jaw or temporomandibular joints can cause an uneven bite and toothache
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Swollen Face From Tooth Infection
When your tooth becomes infected, you may experience a severe toothache with swelling. These abscesses can be extremely painful and may even lead to enlargement of lymph glands near your infected tooth. You may even develop a swollen face. You usually need professional evaluation to resolve the issue to prevent further complications.
Abscesses And Swollen Jaw
An abscess is a swelling in the jaw, tooth or gums. Swelling can signal a number of underlying problems such as cavities, infected root canals, diseased gums, or even a broken jaw. Most cases a dental abscess is an infection at the base of a tooth. It means a pocket of fluid has formed at the tip of a tooth root in your jawbone. If the infection isnt treated, more serious infections may spread to the face . This makes your face swell. Facial cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying soft tissues. This is a very serious condition. Once the infection and swelling starts, it can spread quickly.
A dental abscess often starts with a crack or cavity in a tooth. The pain is often made worse by having hot or cold drinks, or biting on hard foods. The pain may spread from the tooth to your ear, or to the area of your jaw on the same side. Contact us immediately if the pain gets worse, spreads to your neck or if you have fever of 100.4°F or higher.
The dentists will perform a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and gums to find and treat the cause of your mouth pain. We most likely will prescribe an antibiotic to help fight infection. Once identified we can solve the issue. However, if you are at home and find these symptoms we suggest you go to the emergency room or dial 911.:
- Swelling spreads to the upper half of your face or neck
- Your eyelids start to swell shut
- Abnormal drowsiness
- Headache or a stiff neck
- Weakness or fainting
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
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Avoid Straws Like The Plague
With all thats been happening environmentally to switch from plastic straws to paper straws, dentists should receive credit. Theyve been telling people to not use straws for years.
The reason straws are a big dont on the list of dos and donts after tooth extraction, is because they create suction within the mouth. Thats bad for healing. The space where the tooth was is an open hole that fills with blood. The blood must clot and eventually help produce tissue to close the site. Without the blood clot, the healing stalls.
Straws are a no-no because they create suction which can disrupt the blood clot and cause a dry socket.
Dental Emergencies: What To Do If You Have A Swelling
Swellings around the mouth can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, swelling can occur because of blocked salivary glands, medication side-effects, poor nutrition , gingivitis and gum disease, and some oral cancers. However, a swelling can also be an indication that a tooth has an abscess, especially if it is accompanied by pain and has occurred reasonably quickly.
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How Can I Prevent A Toothache
Since most toothaches are the result of tooth decay, good oral hygiene practices can prevent toothaches:
- Brush regularly with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day.
- See your dentist twice a year for professional cleaning.
Also, eat foods low in sugar and ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride applications.
What Symptoms Relate To Toothache And Swelling
Toothache can start suddenly. It can cause pain and discomfort that ranges from mild to very severe. The pain can be constant, throbbing, or it may come and go. It can also affect your head, ear and jaw.
If you have toothache, you may also have:
- swelling around your tooth and inside your mouth
- swelling of your jaw and face
- pain when chewing
- bleeding from your tooth or gums
- sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food
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Why Do Your Cheeks Get Swollen After Wisdom Teeth Extraction
This article wouldnt be complete without mentioning the reason for your swollen cheeks. Swelling after wisdom teeth extraction is simply a natural, healthy response that helps your body heal. Many times, the oral surgeon has to cut through your gums and drill through bone to remove your wisdom teeth. You would probably expect to have swelling after any invasive surgery to remove an appendage of your body, and getting your wisdom teeth out is no exception.
To learn more and to find out how long you can expect to have swollen cheeks after wisdom teeth removal, read the article Why You Get Swollen Cheeks After Wisdom Teeth Removal.
Do you have any questions, comments, or concerns about your swollen cheeks and wisdom teeth extraction? Go ahead and write them in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!
Signs Your Tooth Is Infected
If youve ever experienced a tooth infection, you know it can be very uncomfortable. A tooth infection is typically accompanied with a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. The abscess can be found anywhere in the mouth.
There are two types of abscesses. A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal abscess occurs in the gums, usually near the side of the tooth.
A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity. If the interior of your tooth , encounters any unknown substance, it can inflame the blood vessels and nerves, impacting the tooth enamel. Endodontic treatment helps treat tooth decay and other infected materials to help seal and fight future infections.
Rick Davis, DDS, and Rick Schwartz, DDS, are experts in endodontics at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, visit a specialist who can diagnose and help treat it.
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Take These Steps Immediately If Your Tooth Is Infected
A tooth infection or abscess can spread the surrounding bone and gum tissue, and the pain can become more severe. If you are experiencing signs of an infected tooth, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. Though treatment is necessary to resolve the issue, you can take steps to manage your pain until then.
Treatment And Pain Relief For Tooth Swelling
If youre experiencing swelling, the first step is to reach out to your dental professional. Theyll be able to determine the cause of your swollen gums and teeth and recommend the best treatment. At home, however, you can gargle warm salt water, which will help rinse away bacteria. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also help reduce swelling and soreness.
Your mouth is full of bacteria, and even the most dedicated teeth brushers may develop a swollen tooth. That being said, excellent oral care is still crucial to preventing swelling in your mouth. That means brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss, water flossers, or another interdental cleaning device.
Unlike a bruise or mild cut on your skin, swelling inside your mouth near your teeth can be a severe issue, and you should address it as such. Dentists can prescribe antibiotics and medications that will not only treat the pain but target the infection. Plus, the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can eliminate your tooth swelling pain and get back to having a healthy, confident, pain-free smile.
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Diy Toothache Relief At Home
In most cases, you can use homemade remedies to relieve your pain at home. Here are 29 natural ways to soothe a toothache.
1. Baby Aspirin
Crush up a flavored baby aspirin and apply the powder directly to the painful area in your mouth. Allow it to dissolve gradually to relieve your pain.
2. Teabag
You can place a wet teabag on your tooth to ease some of the pain and reduce swelling. If youre not sensitive to cold, dip the tea bag in ice water beforehand to provide extra pain relief.
3. Ginger and Cayenne Pepper
To make an anti-inflammatory paste, mix together powdered ginger and cayenne pepper with a few drops of water. Then, use a cotton ball to apply the paste to your tooth. Keep the mixture away from your gums to avoid irritation. This can provide immediate pain relief.
4. Cloves
Cloves have been used for centuries to treat toothaches. Apply a pinch of ground cloves onto your tooth and hold it in place to help relieve your pain. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball in clove oil and apply it to the painful area.
5. Fresh Garlic
Garlic is a wonderful natural remedy that has a wealth of health benefits. To use fresh garlic as a toothache remedy, mix a crushed clove of garlic with a pinch of rock salt and apply it around your tooth.
6. Brandy or Whiskey
Soak a cotton ball in some brandy or whisky and apply it to your tooth for temporary relief of pain. You can use this remedy as often as needed while waiting to see your dentist.
7. Myrrh
8. Vicks Vapor Rub
9. Salt Water
Here Are 7 Important Care Tips For A Dental Abscess
1. Seek treatment immediately.
2. You can start fighting the infection right away.
There are things you can do immediately while on your own, especially if your dentist is not open on that day or at that hour. There are natural antibiotics as well as natural remedies you can use in the meantime. These consist of garlic, baking soda, and salt rinses. You can also boost your bodys immune system by taking vitamin c.
3. Draw the infection out.
You should never attempt to pop an abscess on your own. However, there are methods you can use to help the abscess drain naturally on its own by pulling the infection out. Natural ways of doing this include using a tea bag or making a paste out of baking soda.
4. Reduce your inflammation and relieve your pain.
While awaiting your dentist appointment, you may want to take over the counter medication such as naproxen , ibuprofen as well as acetaminophen to reduce inflammation and help with pain. Using the above-mentioned salt water rinse multiple times a day will not only help relieve pain but will also help reduce bacteria and will aid in fighting the infection.
5. Find the source causing the infection.
Get your abscess medically examined to eliminate the cause of the infection, even if you are feeling better. The abscess will not go away on its own. You need it examined, drained, and treated.
6. Take antibiotics from your dentist.
7. Maintain good oral hygiene to keep future abscesses from forming.
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How Do You Get Rid Of An Abscess In Your Mouth Fast
Is Cold Compress Good For Tooth Abscess
Absolutely! Cold compress is an excellent remedy for abscessed tooth. Its one of the best treatment options to get temporary relief till you seek medical advice from a dentist.
Cold compress has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling and help the blood vessels repair themselves sooner. You can use cold compress 2-3 times per day to get the best results.
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Causes Of Tooth Infection
Different things can cause a tooth infection.
For instance, a periapical tooth abscess is an infection that occurs when bacteria invade the innermost part of the tooth called the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
The periodontal abscess is another type of dental abscess that can result from the accumulation of bacteria in the periodontal pockets. It causes the collection of a pocket of pus in the gum tissues.
There are billions of bacteria in the mouth, some of which play important roles in digestion. However, these bacteria produce acids that can cause damage inside of the tooth.
It also increases the chances of developing a dental abscess. This is why it is important to adopt good oral hygiene.
Some common causes of tooth infection include:
- Poor oral hygiene, e.g., not brushing twice a day and not flossing
- A previous dental work or injury that makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate
- Consuming lots of sugary foods or beverages, which encourages bacteria to form plaques that cause tooth decay and abscess
- A weak immune system which can be caused by underlying medical conditions, such as AIDs and diabetes
What Is A Tooth Abscess
An abscess is an infection of a tooth that forms a bacteria-filled sac around the roots of the tooth. Bacteria then invade the nerve of the tooth, causing infection and inflammation inside your tooth. Eventually, this infection can kill the tooth from the inside. If an abscess goes untreated, it will eventually lead to an infection in the jawbone and the surrounding tissue.
Here are some common symptoms of an abscessed tooth.
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Pain: throbbing pain on chewing food sensitivity to hot and cold
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Fever: indicates that your body is fighting an infection
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Bad taste: sour pungent smelly
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Redness: in the gums: Bleeding tenderness when brushing
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Swelling: in the cheeks and face sometimes in the neck, which is the most dangerous type and sometimes requires a visit to the ER
Causes of tooth abscesses include decay , gum disease, a cracked tooth, or trauma. When one or more of these conditions is present, bacteria have an opportunity to enter the tooth, infect the nerve tissue, and will eventually kill the nerves and blood supply to the toothessentially killing the tooth.
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How Will The Dentist Treat My Toothache
Treatment by a dental professional depends on what is causing your toothache.
- If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or take the tooth out, if necessary.
- A root canal may be needed if the cause of the toothache is an infection of the tooth’s nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner space of the root of the tooth cause infection.
- An antibiotic may be prescribed if there is fever or swelling of the jaw. A small piece of food can get stuck under the gums causing an infection. In this instance, a deep cleaning may be performed or recommended followed by further periodontal therapy if necessary.
Cold Compress With Ice
When you have an infection such as an abscess, swelling occurs in the area. Applying ice to the area constricts the blood vessels, which reduces pain and swelling. This will not heal the abscess, but it will reduce the symptoms. For this method, apply an ice pack or similar to the area on and off for fifteen minutes multiple times a day.
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When To See A Dentist
Oral pain is generally an indication of an underlying condition. Whether its a damaged filling, tooth decay, or an abscessed tooth, you must address the problem immediately. Delayed treatment can lead to loss of the teeth and supporting bone.
Schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist immediately if you notice the following signs:
- A swollen, red bump in the mouth
- Red, swollen gums
Five Things To Remember After A Root Canal Treatment
The teeth have three parts with the dentine being the innermost part. The dentine contains a pulp cavity that is responsible for nerve sensitivity and supplying nutrients to the tooth. However, due to different factors like poor dental hygiene, bacteria can grow in the pulp eventually causing it to get infected. If not treated on time, the decay can spread to other tissues causing permanent damage to the teeth.
Infected tooth pulp will cause:
- Formation of pimples in the gums
- Severe pain especially when eating
- Tender and swollen gum
- Lingering tooth sensitivity
A root canal procedure is done to prevent tooth extraction and preserve your teeth.The success of the root canal, however, will depend on your dental habits and how well you take care of the affected dental site, so here are a few things you need to remember.
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