Your Thornhill Invisalign® Provider
Why do my teeth hurt?
A toothache can result in throbbing pain in your mouth and be quite severe. You likely don't need to be told to contact your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible if you are experiencing this emergency.
There are several signs that indicate you should see your dentist or orthodontist right away, depending on the nature and timing of your circumstances. In addition to pain around the tooth, signs you should see your dentist include:
- Facial swelling
- Fever
- Foul taste in your mouth or bad breath
- Bleeding in your mouth
- Swelling around the tooth
Different factors that may be causing your tooth to feel painful include:
- Trauma to the tooth or surrounding tissue
- Damaged dental or orthodontic work
- Abscessed tooth
- Infected nerve
- Infections in the mouth
- Tooth decay
- Teeth grinding
What to Do
If you are experiencing tooth pain, the first thing to do is to quell any bleeding using gauze. If the tooth (or a piece of a tooth) has been lost, try to locate it. Once found, dust off any debris (do not rinse with water).
If possible, place the tooth carefully into the socket, and bite down gently. If you’re not able to push the tooth back into the socket, add some milk to a lidded container and place the tooth inside. This may help preserve the tooth and make it more likely that your dentist will be able to replace it.
If you are experiencing swelling or pain, try taking over-the-counter painkillers (while carefully following the instructions on the bottle for the recommended dose) and applying an icepack to the area.
You should then make an appointment with your dentist so the issue can be diagnosed and treated. Note that most dental pain will not stop on its own, and attempting to diagnose or treat the issue yourself could lead to serious issues long-term.
Sometimes, these issues may happen during orthodontic treatment or be related. For example, tooth decay can occur as a result of not brushing or flossing frequently or sufficiently around your braces, or caring for your teeth during Invisalign treatment.
When it comes to braces, wires and bands can occasionally loosen on their own and lead to orthodontic issues or problems, so don't be alarmed if this occurs.
If the wire protrudes and is irritating sensitive tissue, use a small, blunt instrument (for example, a pencil eraser or the back of a spoon) to carefully and gently push the wire under the archwire to get it out of the way. You can also apply was or wet cotton to the wire to reduce the annoyance.
Depending on the cause of the pain and whether it's an orthodontic-related issue, our orthodontists at Thornhill Family Orthodontics in Thornhill may either tell you that you should come to our office right away for treatment, or make an appointment to see you as soon as possible.
Bookmark our website or search “orthodontist near me” in your favourite search engine and we will likely pop up.
If you have experienced trauma to the tooth that has caused a fracture or breakage, or if you are in severe pain that you are unable to manage yourself, call our office as soon as you are comfortable and safe. We will make room for you in our schedule as soon as possible for emergency dental treatment.
If your case is less severe, here are some other things you can do to manage your discomfort until your appointment time:
- Rinse your mouth using salt water
- Record your pain
- Keep your teeth clean
- If the tooth is broken, apply a piece of gauze over the jagged edge of the tooth