3 Ways To Avoid Toothache

National Toothache Day on February 9th provides our doctors at Nova Dental Partners a great opportunity to remind our patients about the importance of proper oral hygiene so we can reduce the likelihood of you experiencing unnecessary dental pain.

Causes of Toothache

It’s important to understand the factors involved in developing toothache as there are several causes:

1. Tooth decay/cavities/dental caries
2. Fractured tooth
3. Abscessed tooth
4. Damaged filling
5. Infected gums

Tooth decay is the most common cause and occurs when the hard surface of your tooth is damaged by bacteria, creating tiny holes in your tooth. It’s important to take care of your teeth in order to reduce the likelihood of developing any of these issues. 

How to Avoid Toothache

Our team believes that prevention is key when it comes to your dental health. Therefore our doctors recommend the following steps to avoid toothache:

1. Oral Hygiene — Having good oral hygiene habits like brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily is imperative for a healthy mouth.
2. Dental Cleanings in Woodbridge, Alexandria, or Fairfax — It’s important to have dental exams and cleanings at least twice a year. Professional cleanings mean you will be far less likely to experience tooth or gum issues in the first place and the more you see our doctors, the more likely they can spot any issues early on.
3. Healthy Habits — Habits like smoking and eating lots of sugary food or drinking sodas are big culprits of causing tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore avoiding these can also help avoiding dental pain in the long term.

If you are suffering from toothache, you will likely know immediately, however you should look out for a sharp or throbbing pain around your tooth (especially when chewing), swelling around your tooth, swelling of your jaw or face, bleeding gums, and sensitivity to hot or cold food.

It’s important to monitor your pain and call one of our dental offices in Woodbridge, Alexandria or Fairfax if you have severe pain or if your toothache lasts more than 2 days with no improvement. Also look out for fever/earache that’s connected to it. It’s important to speak with the dental team and get seen quickly so that an infection doesn’t spread. Treatment will depend on the cause of your toothache. 

In the meantime, make sure to keep your teeth clean and ensure no food is stuck in between your teeth by flossing. Our team is available 24/7 to help with dental emergencies, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local dental office in Old Town, Mount Vernon, or King Street Station, Alexandria; Fairfax City, Fairfax; or Lake Ridge, Woodbridge.