Dental Pain Treatment Are you having dental pain? Consulting a dentist is the best solution to your oral health problems! In the treatment of oral health problems, a dentist’s main intentions are the ridding the patient of infection, preventing any or future decay of the tooth, and avoiding possible complications. In order to fight infections, antibiotics may be prescribed, and to relieve pain, over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers may be issued to a patient by the dentist. Treat your dental pain! Contact a Local Dentist to eliminate your tooth problems and preserve your teeth! Warning: Do not place aspirin directly over the tooth or gums because this increases irritation of the tissues and can result in mouth ulcers. Bruxism is when you clench or grind your teeth. The term clenching means you tightly clamp your top and bottom teeth together, especially the back teeth. The stressful force of clenching causes pressure on the muscles, tissues and other structures around your jaw. Bruxism may further complicate one’s oral health causing jaw pain, soreness, headaches, earaches, damaged teeth, and jaw joint disorders. These symptoms are often collectively referred to as "TMJ" or temperomandibular joint problems. To help relieve pain, there are may self-care steps: Relax your facial and jaw muscles Massage the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and face Apply ice or wet heat to sore jaw muscles. Avoid eating hard foods like nuts, candies, steak Drink plenty of water every day Dental Treatment Solution: In an effort to prevent oral damage from bruxism and TMJ disorder, dental appliances and mouth guards have been issued by dentists since the early twentieth century. The effectiveness of these measures varies between individuals. Some feel as if the splints or mouth guards have worsened the pain or increased the clenching while others report the symptoms being alleviated while using the dental apparatus. An abscessed tooth is the result of infected material located at the center, or in the pulp, of the tooth. A tooth abscess is a complication of tooth decay. It may also result from trauma to the tooth, such as when a tooth is broken or chipped. Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (the pulp). Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth. Infection results in a collection of pus (dead tissue, live and dead bacteria, and white blood cells) and swelling of the tissues within the tooth. This causes a painful toothache. If the root of the tooth dies, the toothache may stop, but the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue. Tooth Abscess Symptoms: Toothache Severe, continuous pain Throbbing pain Sharp or shooting pain Pain when chewing Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold Bitter taste in the mouth Breath odor Possible Fever Dental Treatment Solution: Root canal therapy may be recommended in an attempt to preserve the tooth. The center of the tooth, including the nerve and vascular tissue (pulp), is removed along with decayed portions of the tooth. The root and surface of the tooth remain in place. The cavity that is created in the core is filled - repaired and a crown may be placed over the tooth. Surgical drainage of the abscess or extraction of the affected tooth may be necessary. Treat your dental pain! Contact a Local Dentist to eliminate your tooth problems and preserve your teeth! Updated LV