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Toothaches are an absolute nuisance – not only can this type of pain seem intolerable and unbearable at times, but often, its onset is quite sudden and comes without warning. It can also stem from a wide variety of causes, some of which are within your control but others that you have no bearing over. However, aching teeth that become infected can lead to a laundry list of problems, including some that carry a fatal risk! Here’s what you need to know about tooth pain and why it’s best to contact your emergency dentist when dealing with it.
How Can a Toothache Affect the Body?
Though the pain from a toothache might originate in the mouth, your whole body is actually at risk if things remain untreated, since this can lead to an infected or abscessed tooth. If the tooth in question becomes infected and bacteria is able to infiltrate it and enter the bloodstream, potential issues including sepsis, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, meningitis, Ludwig’s Angina, and more can all arise. Needless to say, these issues can all have possibly fatal consequences if things are left to escalate.
What Should I Do for Toothache Relief?
The best thing you can do for toothache relief is to turn to your dentist; after you’ve paid them a visit and informed them of your symptoms, they’ll be able to prescribe treatment based on the source of the pain. Other than that, a few useful home remedies include:
- Taking ibuprofen to manage your discomfort.
- Avoiding hot or cold drinks and foods.
- Not chewing on the side of the toothache.
- Refraining from smoking or using tobacco.
- Using a cold compress to address facial swelling.
Believe it or not, in London during the 1600s, dental infections were believed to have been one of the leading causes of death! Even through the early 20th century, these infections could still sometimes prove fatal. Thankfully, modern advancements in science and medicine have made identifying and treating tooth infections relatively easy, and death from a tooth infection is now extremely rare. That said, it’s still unwise to shrug your toothache off or neglect care; if you’ve been dealing with tooth pain, speak to your dentist and ensure things don’t take a bad turn!
About the Practice
Our team here at Super Dental of Fitchburg has proudly served the dental needs of families in Fitchburg for several years, offering a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages, including emergency dentistry! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment for your child, please feel free to visit us online or call us today for assistance. Telephone: (978) 216-1515.