Emergency Dentistry Recommendations: Toothaches During COVID-19

When experiencing a toothache, it is often difficult to do anything else, and emergency dentistry treatment is necessary to stop the pain. The nature of the treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, you will need to call the dentist first to know what to do and how to book an appointment.

Causes of toothaches

Anyone who has dealt with a toothache will know that the pain can progress from mild to severe. it could be due to a simple case of having something trapped between the teeth. The easy solution to this is flossing. However, the answer is not always that simple. With the lockdown in place, it helps to know how to deal with toothaches before a dental appointment. If it is not a dental emergency, the appointment might be postponed until after the COVID-19 lockdown so the dentist can determine the underlying cause.

Many situations can lead to toothaches, some more severe than others. If the pain occurs when drinking or eating hot or cold foods, it could be teeth sensitivity caused by the deterioration of the tooth enamel and gum recession. Teeth sensitivity could also be due to a cavity. Sharp pain when biting could be the result of a cracked tooth, loose filling or cavity. Sinus infections can also cause debilitating pain.

A sudden toothache could be due to a tooth infection, also known as an abscess. Other symptoms of an abscessed tooth include aching mouth or jaw, painful chewing and swollen gums. The procedure requires urgent dental treatment because the infection can spread quickly and get into the bloodstream.

How to handle toothaches

Toothache can be a hard situation to deal with, but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, dentists are only handling emergency dentistry cases. This means that home treatment will be your first line of defense before a dental appointment is possible. The following are ways to deal with toothaches:

Medications: Sometimes, pain medication and antibiotics can help relieve pain and treat infections. It is advisable to contact the dentist for recommendations before using any over-the-counter drugs. The toothache can make the mouth extra sensitive, so it might help for patients to maintain good oral hygiene. An antimicrobial mouthwash with mild or no alcohol can also be helpful.

Numb the area: An over-the-counter numbing gel can alleviate discomfort by numbing the pain. Clove is an alternative if the numbing gel is not available. Grind the whole clove, mix with oil and apply to the affected tooth.

Saltwater rinse: Rinsing the mouth with warm saline water several times daily can alleviate pain, reduce swelling and combat the bacteria responsible for an infection.

Final note

If you suddenly start experiencing a toothache during the COVID-19 lockdown, contact your dentist immediately. Be sure to describe other symptoms you might be experiencing. If the ache is a result of broken teeth or an infection, you may need to visit the dentist for emergency dentistry treatment. If treatment can wait, be sure to apply the quick remedies as directed and book a dental appointment as soon as the lockdown ends.

Request an appointment here: https://sandimassedation.com or call San Dimas Family and Sedation Dentistry at (909) 740-8294 for an appointment in our San Dimas office.

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