What to do if a toothache occurs

All dental clinics in Ukraine face questions such as: what to do if a tooth hurts badly; what should I do if a tooth hurts; what to do if a tooth is inflamed; what to do if a filled tooth hurts; what to do if a tooth hurts. As much as patients would like otherwise, there is only one answer to all these questions, however they are phrased: treat it. Whether it is sudden acute pain or persistent aching – a visit to the dentist is inevitable. The sooner a patient visits the clinic, the faster, cheaper, and with fewer complications the treatment will be.

We have collected several similar and most common questions that are frequently asked to dentists. In 100% of cases, pain is the most important indicator for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for patients to accept reality. That is why we have tried to provide detailed answers to the questions.

There can be quite a few reasons for tooth pain under a filling. If we are talking about a tooth that was filled recently, first of all, it is important to understand: is the patient experiencing pain or discomfort.

Discomfort sensations when biting are acceptable for several months after filling a tooth. They appear periodically and do not prevent a person from thinking, sleeping, or doing any other activities.

Pain is different. Pain is usually constant and persistent. Therefore, when answering the question “What to do if a tooth hurts under a filling?”, we say: continue treatment.

If after a recent filling the tooth is pulsating, there is a pain reaction to cold or hot drinks and food, or cold air, this is an important reason to continue treatment.

What to do if a filled tooth hurts? You should see a doctor, determine the cause, and start treatment.

If the filling was placed a long time ago but pain has appeared, this signals the development of disease under the filling – the tooth continues to deteriorate. This includes secondary caries, pulpitis, periodontitis, which are accompanied by:

• intense pain;
• swelling;
• pain when biting;
• elevated body temperature.

All these symptoms indicate the spread of the inflammatory process above the apex of the tooth root.

The same processes can occur under a crown as under a filling. A tooth under a crown can also be subject to destruction. In such a case, the crown must be removed and the tooth treated, possibly with extraction and implant placement.

A cavity in a tooth can occur due to an advanced carious process, as a result of a filling falling out of a previously treated tooth, or tooth trauma.

Intense pain in a carious tooth may indicate significant pulp destruction (pulpitis) and nerve destruction. In such a case, you should immediately take painkillers and see a dentist.

We recommend our patients not to ignore routine check-ups, during which the doctor can diagnose caries at an early stage, even before the first pain appears. This will help avoid many problems, including those related to intense pain and subsequent more complex treatment.

The question “What to do if an extracted tooth hurts?” is not entirely correct, since an extracted tooth cannot hurt. However, there may be pain in the area of the extraction socket.

Pain and discomfort during tooth extraction are possible, as tooth extraction is a controlled injury. However, with proper healing after the injury, pain should subside after taking painkillers.

Pain after extraction can be assessed using the VAS pain scale:

• 0 – no pain;
• 1–3 – mild pain;
• 4–6 – moderate/mild pain;
• 7–9 – intense pain;
• 10 – unbearable pain.

If within a few days after tooth extraction the pain does not subside but instead intensifies and exceeds 3 or 4 on the VAS scale, you should see an oral surgeon.

An indication for seeking specialist consultation for pain after tooth extraction may also be the fact that painkillers do not relieve the pain.

If wisdom teeth start to bother you or hurt, this is a definite indication to visit a dental clinic. Even if we are talking about unerupted wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, wisdom teeth often bring patients unwanted problems, but they can always be solved. The main thing is not to delay visiting a qualified specialist.

The most common problem is the occurrence of acute pain at night. If taking painkillers does not help, you can contact 24-hour dental clinics available in Kyiv.

Osadchyi Dental Clinic can also work at night if necessary. Therefore, to the question “What to do if a tooth hurts at night?” we answer: you don’t have to endure it, you can contact us immediately.

If the patient can still tolerate the pain and does not want to or cannot go to the clinic immediately, they can call us. We will ask about the symptoms, collect a preliminary medical history, and give recommendations that the patient will follow until visiting the clinic.

There is an opinion that pregnant women cannot undergo dental treatment. This is due to the fact that anesthetics used in dentistry in the past could harm the fetus.

At Osadchyi Dental Clinic, we use anesthetics that do not cross the hematoplacental barrier and do not harm the child. Therefore, if a pregnant woman has a toothache, she should see a doctor very quickly to prevent the development of a purulent process. Treatment of inflammation requires antibiotics, which is extremely undesirable for pregnant women, unlike modern harmless anesthesia.

So that expectant mothers sleep and eat well, do not have septic conditions and stress, and do not need to take harmful painkillers, we provide treatment using anesthesia that does not cross the hematoplacental barrier and in 99.4% of cases does not cause allergies.

Treatment of pregnant women can be carried out at any stage and during lactation.

A reaction to cold or hot may indicate enamel disease. In such a case, you should see a dentist who can prescribe remineralizing procedures for the enamel. In cases of significant destruction, the doctor may recommend restoration.

Such symptoms may be characteristic of inflammatory processes (abscesses and even phlegmons). As in other cases, our recommendation is to see a doctor immediately. But in this case, waiting is especially dangerous, as purulent inflammation can threaten the patient’s life.

Our answer will be the same for another similar question: “What to do if the gums are swollen and a tooth hurts?”.