If you’ve experienced it before, then you know that dental pain can be extremely frustrating. Sometimes tooth pain can almost be debilitating. We recommend scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible to experience long-lasting relief. We are always available by phone and provide our patients with emergency numbers as well. Here are some things you should know about dental pain.

Source of Dental Pain

Dental pain can come from several sources. It can result from infection, a misaligned tooth, damage to a tooth, and much more. This is why it is important to get to our office as soon as possible. Dr. Zola Makrauer or Dr. Julie Miller can evaluate your pain, identify the source, and treat it accordingly.

Things To Keep In Mind About Dental Pain

• If there is swelling, then an antibiotic is usually needed.
  • Swelling is usually the sign of an infection. An antibiotic can help to fight the infection and reduce the swelling. Using an antibiotic to reduce the swelling can make it easier for our dentists to treat the problem area.
• Cold is better than hot to feel better.
  • Cold can help to reduce swelling as well.
• Temporary pain to cold does not always mean that something is wrong.
  • Some people have sensitive teeth when they eat or drink hot or cold foods/beverages. Tooth sensitivity can be relieved with a desensitizing toothpaste that blocks the tubules in the dentin (middle layer of the tooth) and reduces pain when eating and drinking.
• Pain to hot can indicate the nerve in the tooth is not healthy.
  • If you notice that you’re experiencing tooth pain when you have hot foods or drinks, it typically means there is an issue with the nerve, not the tooth itself.
• Tylenol in conjunction with Motrin is extremely effective for tooth pain.
  • While you may feel that you need strong pain medication to treat the pain, you probably have what you need already in your medicine cabinet. Take Tylenol and Motrin as directed for relief from your pain.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, call Huntingdon Valley Dental Arts as soon as possible. Dr. Zola Makrauer and Dr. Julie Miller are here to help!