Everything You Should Know About Toothaches: Insights from a Family Dentist in Lincolnwood, Illinois

Family dentist in Lincolnwood Illinois

It’s rare that you come across someone who hasn’t had a toothache at some point. Toothaches are painful, difficult to ignore, and often indicate a problem with your teeth or gums.

When you have persistent tooth pain, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist. But the question is: what are some things you should know about toothaches? What are some of the common symptoms? This family dentist in Lincolnwood, Illinois is going to discuss everything you’ll need to know below.

What is a toothache?

No matter the cause, a toothache is any pain or inflammation that occurs in or around a tooth. While some mild toothaches can be managed at home, others can become more serious and require professional attention. It is critical to recognize when to listen to your body and seek dental care from a family dentist in Lincolnwood, Illinois. If you do not treat a severe toothache on time, tooth extraction may be the only option on the table.

Dr. Ziols and the team at Smile Innovations want to keep your smile bright and healthy. If your tooth pain is too intense to manage on your own and lasts more than two days, please call our Jefferson Park office immediately to schedule an appointment.

What are the symptoms and causes of toothaches?

It should not be hard to tell when you have a toothache — the pain can be overwhelming, and it makes eating and drinking difficult. Since a handful of different reasons can cause a toothache, your Lincolnwood family dentist will need to examine your mouth to identify the cause.

Toothaches are often caused by the following:

  • Tooth abscess
  • Cavity or dental caries
  • Fractured tooth or cracked tooth
  • Broken or loose filling
  • Bruxism (excessive grinding, gnashing or clenching)
  • Periodontal (gum) disease
  • Dental plaque

Any of these causes usually result in intense, throbbing, or persistent tooth pain. The toothache may sometimes be accompanied by swelling.

Most toothache symptoms will subside on their own or with the use of simple remedies. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you call our Jefferson Park office if you are experiencing prolonged discomfort or symptoms consistent with infection.

You should schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Lincolnwood, Illinois if:

  • Your toothache is severe.
  • Your toothache is accompanied by a fever, ear pain, or pain or tenderness in your face when you open your mouth wide.
  • Your toothache lasts more than two days.

What are the treatment options?

Before deciding on a treatment plan, your Lincolnwood family dentist will perform an oral exam. Additionally, they will review your medical and dental histories to get the complete picture.

Depending on the cause of your toothache, a cavity may need to be filled, a root canal performed, antibiotics prescribed, or the tooth may need to be extracted. Our dentists will do everything possible to relieve your pain and discomfort and save any teeth that are affected.

However, if you have a mild toothache, you can also use these remedies:

  • A saltwater mouth rinse
  • Dislodging stuck food particles with floss
  • Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)
  • Applying a cold compress or ice pack on the outside of your cheek

Looking for the Best Family Dentist in Lincolnwood, Illinois?

If you are dealing with a toothache or persistent discomfort in your mouth, Smile Innovations can help. As the best family dentist in the Lincolnwood, Illinois area, Dr. Ziols can provide a treatment to relieve your toothache symptoms and correct the problem. Contact our dental office today at (773) 763-1000 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ziols.