Among adults aged 20 and older, about 90% have had at least one cavity. Tooth decay is the leading cause of toothache, so as part of National Toothache Day on 9 February, Dr. Larry Reyes of Reyes Dental Group in Lorton, VA wants to take the opportunity to explain the importance of taking good care of your teeth.
Toothache and swelling happens when there’s a problem with your teeth or gums, causing pain and discomfort. It’s our job as your dentist to educate you on the issues that can lead to toothache and also provide our top tips for preventing toothache in the first place.
Although tooth decay and cavities are the most common cause of toothache, there are several other causes, including:
Fractured tooth
Abscessed tooth
Damaged filling
Infected gums
Loose tooth
Dr. Reyes’ top tips to prevent toothache include:
Keep Your Teeth Clean — 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.
Dental Cleanings in Lorton, VA — 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.
Eat and Drink Healthy — 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.
Don’t Smoke — According to the CDC, over 40% of adults aged 20 to 64 who currently smoke cigarettes have untreated tooth decay.
Use Mouthwash — Gargling mouthwash helps to kill bacteria that causes tooth decay and infections.
Toothache treatment will depend on the cause of your pain. Dr. Reyes will examine your teeth and gums and outline your treatment options to ensure your dental issues are resolved quickly with as little pain as possible.
If you need immediate attention after hours, please call our Lorton dental office number (703) 337-4272 and our on-call staff member will help you.