Waking up one morning to feel a deep ache inside a tooth, or radiating out from deep inside your gums, should always be seen as a symptom of a serious problem. Rather than hoping the pain will subside, you should contact Dr. Behzad Abadi’s office in Encino, California to set up an urgent appointment.
In most cases, a tooth ache is a result of decay or damage penetrating the sensitive pulp or root inside the tooth.
If you’ve suffered recent trauma to your mouth like a hard fall or blow to the face it’s possible that the accident may have damaged the sensitive internal structure of the tooth or gums. If you have blood and debris in your mouth you can rinse it away with lukewarm salt water. If there is swelling in your lip or cheek you can hold a cold compress to your face for 15 minutes at a time.
If the toothache pain isn’t related to recent trauma, and you feel pressure deep inside your gums, it could be a sign of advanced tooth decay or infection. This is even more likely if that tooth has recently developed a cavity, or a lost filling.
Rubbing a topical oral analgesic, on the surrounding gums or holding a cold compress to your cheek, might provide some temporary relief from pain. This can often buy you enough relief to make it to Dr. Behzad Abadi’s office for treatment.