A toothache from a cavity can vary from a sharp sting to a persistent dull ache, but understanding how to address it can make a big difference. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of cavity pain, effective relief methods, and preventative tips to maintain dental health. We’ll also discuss how dental crowns in Legacy can be a valuable solution for protecting and restoring your teeth, alleviating pain, preventing future issues, and ensuring your smile stays healthy and pain-free.
What Causes Cavity Pain?
Cavity pain arises when a tooth decays. This occurs with plaque—the sticky layer of bacteria—being built upon the teeth, which give off acids that erode the covering of the tooth, known as enamel. When decay eats through the enamel, the dentin layers of the tooth are now left wide open and sensitive. This can result in pain particularly painful when eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet.
How Do Cavities Exhibit Symptoms?
Cavities do not always show such early warning signs. They might be asymptomatic in the very initial stages, and you won’t feel the pain. But in the course of developing, it might give outlines, which include:
- Toothache: Experience of persistent or spontaneous pain that might develop without showing obvious causes of toothache.
- Sensitivity: Pain or discomfort when taking hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
- Visible Pits: Tiny indentations or holes you can notice in the reflection of your teeth when looking in the mirror or those you can detect while touching the tip of your tongue.
- Discoloration: Black or brown dots on the surface of your tooth.
What are the Fast Pain Relief Options available for a Cavity?
Enduring cavity pain is miserable; therefore, everyone craves fast relief. Here are a few options which you can experiment with:
- Over-the-counter painkillers: These consist of ibuprofen and acetaminophen that may be used to reduce pain and swelling. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package.
- Warm Salt Water Rinse: Rinsing with a solution that contains one teaspoonful of salt dissolved in one cup of warm water decreases inflammation and cleanses the aching spot.
- Cold Compress: This can easily be affected by applying a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to bring the inside part to numbness and reduce swelling.
- Clove oil: It has natural numbing effects. Put a bit of clove oil on a cotton swab and rub it on the painful tooth. You will have a temporary sigh of relief.
All the methods, as mentioned earlier, may alleviate the pain for a limited time, but they never cure the actual cause. Therefore, consulting a dentist near you is important to discuss the right treatments and procedures for cavity pain.
What Long-Term Treatments Can Be Done for Cavity Pain?
Professional treatment is needed in the case of persistent cavity pain. The most common treatments and procedures for cavity pain consist of the following:
- For fillings, the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and fills the cavity with one of several possible materials: composite resin, amalgam, or gold. This solidifies the shape and performance of the tooth.
- Dental Crowns: With severe decay, a dental crown may be needed. A crown is wrapped entirely around a tooth, adding strength and protection. Consult a local dentist if you want dental crowns in Legacy.
- Root Canal Treatment: If the decay goes up to the pulp in the tooth, the dentist will recommend root canal therapy. In this procedure, the affected pulp is taken out, and the tooth is thoroughly cleaned after that and is adequately sealed to prevent any reinfections.
- Tooth Extraction: If the cavity is very deep and the tooth cannot be treated, it must be extracted. Then, the dentist will recommend getting an implant or a bridge for the extracted tooth.
How to Keep Cavities Away?
Cavities definitely hurt quite a lot if it remain untreated. It is better to prevent the pain than to handle it later on. Here are some practical measures that may help in the prevention of cavities:
- Brush and Floss Daily: Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to prevent the accumulation of plaque and food particles in the mouth is a good practice.
- Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks: Things with sugar aid in forming plaque and tooth decay. One must drink water and eat fruits and vegetables.
- Use of Mouthwash: An antibacterial mouthwash could reduce the plaque on teeth and kill the bacteria that cause cavities.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum Chewing sugar-free gum helps to stimulate saliva, which is protective, clears away food, and neutralizes acids.
Early detection of asymptomatic cavities that have not shown any significant pain can be found on time and managed before aggravating by being evaluated regularly by a dentist using checkups. Find a dentist around you and make appointments to get dental check-ups at Township Dental Wellness to maintain good dental health.
Let Us Help You Find Relief from Dentinal Pain!
Dealing with dentinal exposure? We’re here to help! At Township Dental Wellness, we offer practical solutions like dental crowns in Legacy to relieve pain and prevent future issues. Regular check-ups with us ensure your smile stays healthy and bright. Ready to find relief and improve your dental health? Schedule your appointment today, and let us assist you in achieving a pain-free, radiant smile!
