Sometimes, a person experiences tooth or gum pain when dental clinics are generally not open, such as on weekends or at night. Various remedies can ease the pain or make it vanish altogether. It’s a good idea to see a Dentist in Apple Valley MN afterward to determine what happened and whether treatment is required. The patient also can learn how to prevent this in the future.
Sensitivity Symptoms
In some cases, tooth pain is due to sensitivity. The person may be alarmed because the pain can be very acute when it first occurs. Biting into something very hot or very cold causes intense discomfort, and the ache may continue long enough afterward that taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen is necessary.
Treating Sensitivity
After examining the affected areas and making sure there is no cavity or infection causing the sensitivity, a Dentist in Apple Valley MN is likely to recommend using toothpaste produced for people with this problem. Mineral content and fluoride in the paste strengthens the tooth and makes it less sensitive. Until the issue is resolved, the person should avoid getting hot or very cold substances on the problem teeth.
Removing Food Particles
Gently flossing teeth may eliminate pain at the gums if food particles are trapped and causing irritation. Something sharp may have become lodged there, like a bit of a tortilla chip. After flossing, rinsing the mouth with warm water and spitting will wash away those particles.
Minor Gum Inflammation
An inflamed, puffy area of the gums between two teeth can occur if flossing was done too vigorously and the tissue was injured. Rinsing the area with warm salt water will ease the inflammation, and the gum area should heal within a day. The person should swish that warm water around in the mouth for several seconds.
Topical Benzocaine
Topical gels containing benzocaine, a numbing agent, are usually helpful when other efforts have not worked. On occasion, the pain never returns and was only temporary. These instances are mysterious, and it’s advisable to visit a clinic such as Dakota Dental & Implant Center to determine whether any underlying issues should be addressed. Click here and learn about this clinic.