Treatment
Identify the possible cause
Treatment for a toothache depends on the cause. If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or possibly extract the tooth, if necessary.
Root canal
If you have severe gum disease, a root canal may be needed to remove the decayed tissue within the tooth. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner aspects of the tooth cause such an infection. A root canal might be needed if the cause of the toothache is determined to be an infection of the tooth’s nerve.
Antibiotic
An antibiotic may be prescribed if there is fever or swelling of the jaw.
Scaling
Tooth pain due to gum disease may require a technique called “scaling and planing,” in which a dental professional numbs your gums so he or she can use a special tool to remove plaque buildup from above and below the gum line.
Avoid cold and hot foods
Avoid very cold or hot foods because these may make the pain worse.
Home remedy
A home remedy for pain relief is to bite on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves. Clove oil is available at most drugstores.
Garlic
By simply eating more garlic through supplementation or as an ingredient in everyday foods, one can decrease their vulnerability to infection. Garlic contains a chemical called allicin, which acts as a natural antibiotic and can fight a tooth infection. To help alleviate pain, garlic can be crushed and mixed into a paste with a little bit of salt and applied to the area that is infected. This won’t cure the infection but may help with tooth pain and prevent the infection from growing or spreading.
Finding the Right Dentist for You
To find a dentist who is both delicate and experienced about the effect of FM pain on dental visits and dental care, ask such questions:
- Do you propose prescription to lessen anxiety during my treatment?
- Do you have the modern equipment, like digital lasers and X-rays, in your office?
- Do I have the choice of complete sedation?
- Do you have any experience handling people with FM?
- Are you experienced, skilled, and comfortable dealing with temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), as this disorder is common with FM?
- How do you feel FM pain effects dentistry?
- Do you propose any other non-drug means of relaxation that might help ease stress, like listening to comforting music?
The more you share your worries with the dentist before treatment, the more easily that treatment is expected to go.
