A painful toothache can stop you right in your tracks. Eating, drinking, or talking might even be impossible…much less getting to the office or driving your children to school.
Stop and Listen to Your Body
Feel a twinge in a specific tooth? Does something feel “off” or just not quite right in your bite? Dental problems aren’t always painful. In many cases, they start out with one of these almost innocent symptoms. They’re your body’s way of telling you that something is going on. While you might not have the tools to diagnose or see what exactly is happening inside of your mouth, your dentist will.
Stop Fighting Through the Pain
There’s almost nothing more unbearable than a severe toothache (except maybe a horrible ear infection.) Dental pain can keep you from being able to eat or even go to work. While an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen can alleviate discomfort temporarily, it won’t address the cause of the pain. To get your life back, you need to have a dentist see what’s wrong with your tooth.
Some types of dental diseases won’t hurt at all…or the pain just gradually goes away. This is not normal. If you see symptoms of a disease, let your dentist know (even if your teeth don’t hurt.)
Here are just a few types of infections that may hurt or not hurt at all, depending on the situation:
- Abscessed teeth
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Broken fillings and crowns
- Gum disease
- Oral cancer
- Thrush, fungal, or bacterial infections
Stop Trying to Fix it Yourself
You wouldn’t believe how many people practice DIY dentistry. From super-gluing their crowns back on to repairing dentures in their kitchen, it’s a recipe for disaster. Essentially, you get what you pay for. Most of the time, these home repairs make the situation even worse and more expensive to correct.
Even social media websites and blogs claim to have the secret answer to self-treat dental problems like tooth decay. The truth is, you can’t regrow enamel. If there’s a cavity in your tooth, you need to have it filled. Otherwise, that decay will spread deep into the nerve and cause your tooth to die.
Stop Ignoring the Issue
No dental problem goes away on its own…especially when it involves a cavity, gum disease, or cracked teeth. The sooner you see a dentist, the better. Not only can early treatment save you money, it will be less invasive than a more extensive procedure months from now when you’re in unbearable pain.
While other parts of the body heal themselves in time, teeth don’t. Trying to outlast the pain or pretend that it doesn’t exist doesn’t make you “tough,” it just sets you up for something worse further down the road.
Stop and Schedule a Dental Checkup
There’s no better way to get your smile on the mend than to see a dentist. In most cases, you can get the same day emergency appointment if you’re in pain. Or, schedule one for the next day that you can get off from work (just don’t wait too long.)
Routine checkups are one of the best ways to avoid dental pain altogether. These intermittent visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and take steps to intervene if something suspicious pops up. If you have dental insurance, you’re usually covered for a check-up twice each year (or every six months.)
Stop Saying You Can’t Afford Dental Care
One of the best ways to get the care that you need is to work with LowerMyDentalBills.com to find an affordable dental discount plan that fits your budget so that you can lower your dental costs as much as possible.
Dental care can often be more affordable than you may think. You and your smile deserve the very best, at the lowest possible cost. Contact one of our dental savings specialists today!
