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Treating Toothaches
By Cory Schuett, 14 Feb 20:48
This article explains how toothaches can begin and how you can treat them.
Most toothaches are caused by tooth decay. Bacteria inside your mouth live off the sugars and starches in the food you eat. Plaque then forms and sticks to the outside of your teeth.
The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can damage the outside of your teeth. This is what causes cavities. The earliest indication of decay is most likely pain when eating something sweet, very cold or very hot. Toothaches usually mean that your dentist will have to do some work.
There are a few things you can do yourself to help toothaches.
1. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
2. Use floss to get rid any food stuck between your teeth.
3. Take an over-the-counter painkiller
4. Use an over-the-counter antiseptic that has benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Be sure that aspirin (or any other painkiller) does not lay against your gums, because it could burn the tissue.
Call your dentist if:
1. The pain continues for more than a couple days
2. You develop a fever
3. You have problems with breathing or swallowing
Tags: toothaces, decay, teeth, gums