A toothache can be a frightening experience for people who have never had them especially if they have no idea why their teeth suddenly started to hurt. The first response you might have is going to the dentist immediately, but not all toothaches are dental emergencies.

This is why it makes sense to know whether your is, and if it is not, you need to know what you can do to relieve the pain until you can get to the dentist:

Emergency Care Needed

Fever, pus drainage and swelling are all signs that an infection could be present. Toothaches with these symptoms can be dangerous because of the risk that the infection could enter your bloodstream and create a life threatening situation. 

Toothache When Certain Foods are Consumed

If you notice that you get a toothache after you consume acidic, sugary, hot or cold foods and beverages, you may have damage to your enamel or tooth decay. Limit the consumption of these foods until your dentist can determine the exact cause of the pain.

Also, take time to brush your teeth after consuming these foods because this may thwart the toothache pain from resurfacing. Use a toothpaste that is designed for people with sensitive teeth. 

Restorative dental treatments may be performed by the dentist if the teeth can be saved. Otherwise, extractions may be needed. This is why it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible for toothaches. 

Toothache After Waking Up

This type of toothache symptom may be the result of you clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. In some cases people with this type of pain mistakenly think they have a toothache because the pain seems to come from their teeth. However, the actual pain may be coming from the jaw. Mouth-guards can be worn during sleep times to aid in preventing the clenching and grinding episodes.  

People with this type of pain need to be aware of whether they also clench down during their awake hours. For example, a person may clench their teeth while awake in response to stressful situations, which can still cause pain. If this is the case, the mouth-guard may need to be worn during the day too. 

Temporary Relief for Non-Emergency Toothaches

You can use over-the-counter pain medications. Some people prefer not to take medications. Herbal remedies such as clove oil and wheatgrass juice can also be used.

Apply the clove oil to a cotton ball and gently bite down on it. This oil has antibacterial qualities, and it also has pain relief properties. Wheatgrass juice has antiseptic qualities. You have the option of chewing on the grass, or you can extract the juice in a food processor and make a mouthwash blend that can swished around in the mouth.

To learn more, contact a company like Rose City Dental Care with any questions you have.