Sunday, September 28, 2014
The primary cause of toothache for most children and adults is tooth decay. Bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on the sugars and starches in the food you eat. These bacteria form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of your teeth.
Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of your teeth (enamel), creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation of pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. A toothache often indicates that your dentist will need to work on your teeth.
Toothache is one of the worst pains, and after a time suffering from it - all you can feel is pain.
Self-care tips
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your teeth.
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to dull the ache.
- Apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Direct application of oil of cloves (eugenol) also may help. Don't place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums, as it may burn your gum tissue.
- Put a drop of clove oil on a cotton bud and apply it to the gum around the tooth or into the crevices on either side.
Labels: Health Tips
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