National Toothache Day is observed every year on February 9. It is undoubtedly a day that no one wants to celebrate because toothaches are no fun! Want to skip this holiday? We don’t blame you, but there is no need. National Toothache Day is about spreading awareness and educating people on the importance of dental health and the prevention of toothaches.

Also known as odontalgia, a toothache is any pain felt with one tooth or multiple teeth. It can be a very unpleasant experience. It may be difficult to eat, sleep, and sometimes speak. Luckily there are ways to help prevent toothaches from occurring.

Common Causes of Toothaches

• Infection
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Abnormal bite
• Grinding teeth
• Sensitivity to temperature
• *Kids may experience aching when growing their adult teeth

It is important to note that experiencing a toothache is serious and you should seek dental help right away. The longer you wait, the worse the condition and pain will become. However, we do understand that scheduling an emergency dentist appointment may not be possible for everyone. Here are some at-home remedies that will help, but will not cure, your toothache.

Alleviate Tooth Pain

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil. But never put the pain reliever on your gums, where the pain is occurring. It can burn the gum tissue and cause more damage to your dental health.
• You can apply an over-the-counter antiseptic oil or gel directly to the infected area. Just make sure it contains benzocaine.
• You may try to gently floss around the tooth in case there is a foreign particle lodged, causing discomfort.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek where the pain is occurring. It can reduce some of the swelling and alleviate some of the discomfort.

Visit the Dentist

The above will help alleviate some of the pain with your toothache, but make sure you still come see Dental Care Center! We will give you a complete dental examination and identify the causes of your toothache so we can fix it. We may also prescribe you a pain medication that will reduce the discomfort and help the healing process. We do love seeing our patients but we don’t want to see you in pain. So remember to practice good oral hygiene to prevent toothaches.

Contact the Dental Care Center if you need to schedule an appointment for your toothache.