A toothache can radiate pain through your head and make your day miserable. Your quickest path to pain relief depends on the cause behind the ache. Here are some quick tips for relieving your tooth pain.

At-Home Options

A minor, newly occurring tooth pain could be due to a wide variety of causes and you can attempt some simple at-home treatments. First, if you have a history of sinus infections, take your sinus medication. Believe it or not, problems with your sinus can sometimes lead to tooth pain due to shared canals. If that doesn't apply, move straight to taking a mild pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if you have doctor's approval to take that type of medication. You can also apply some topical, over-the-counter tooth numbing gel around the base of the tooth to minimize the pain.

Reduce swelling by applying a warm, damp cloth to the exterior of your mouth around where the aching tooth is located. Go a step further by rinsing out your mouth with warm salt water. You should keep up a proper oral care routine during a toothache to prevent bacteria from making matters even worse.

Dental Options

If you have reoccurring pain, make a dentist appointment as soon as possible. If the pain is severe, try to make an appointment with an emergency dental clinic that operates after-hours so you can have immediate treatment. A dentist can get a better look at your tooth and develop a treatment strategy.

Dental pain is often caused by an exposed tooth root that comes to the surface due to damage or a weakened gum structure. In these cases, it might be necessary to cover the tooth with a filling or crown. The dentist might also need to drill into the tooth to clean out the interior canal, which leads to the root. This procedure is appropriately called a root canal. In dire scenarios, the tooth might have to be removed entirely. Don't worry if the tooth does have to be removed; you don't need to walk around with a permanent hole in your mouth. A cosmetic dentist can develop a false tooth implant that will look and feel natural.

It's best to have even dull, recurring dental pain checked out by a professional. Oral infections can lead to a wide range of full-body symptoms and, in rare cases, has even led to death.

For more information, contact a local dental clinic, like Crest Hill Family Dental.