Sometimes, the sharp pain you feel when biting down or eating could indicate a tooth cavity. It is natural to seek quick relief from this discomfort. If you suspect a cavity, the ideal course of action is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. It will ensure proper diagnosis and effective tooth cavity treatment, bringing you the relief you seek.
Meanwhile, there are several measures you can take at home to prevent cavities from forming. Read on to find ways to get rid of cavities and maintain good oral health.
What is a Cavity?
A tooth cavity is a small hole or opening that forms on the teeth due to tooth decay. Tooth decay involves continuous wear down of the enamel by acids of bacterial (dental plaque) or non-bacterial (acidic foods and drinks) origin. Cavities tend to form in the pits on the back teeth’s chewing surfaces, near the gumline, and between the teeth.
Cavities, also known as dental caries, in the initial stages may appear as small white spots on the surface of your tooth enamel. If left untreated, they can further progress to deeper areas of the tooth, leading to tooth sensitivity and pain. Regular dental check-ups for early detection and timely tooth cavity treatment can prevent toothaches and more serious implications such as tooth abscesses and tooth loss.
Getting Help For Your Cavity
Once a cavity has formed, the most effective cavity pain remedy is having a dentist treat it. Your dentist may use the latest technology tools and techniques to evaluate your tooth and determine the treatment for effective cavity pain relief. Cavity treatment can vary depending on the severity or various stages of cavity progression, which include:
Enamel decay: In the early stages of tooth decay, it affects only the tooth enamel and may not have spread to the tooth nerves, so this stage is usually not painful. To prevent further decay, your dentist will clean the decayed part and seal the cavity with material such as silver amalgam or tooth-coloured composite material.
Dentin decay: As the untreated decay progresses from the enamel to the dentin, you may experience pain upon drinking cold water or eating. At this stage, the food particles may get stuck in the cavity. Your dentist may perform more extensive filling as part of the cavity treatment.
Pulp damage: If the decay advances beyond the dentin to the tooth pulp, it can cause more intense toothaches. The tooth nerve tends to get inflamed at this stage due to bacterial action. The dentist may recommend root canal treatment to relieve you of the pain and further damage.
Tooth Abscess: Early tooth decay treatment helps prevent bacterial infections from advancing to the jaw bone, causing swelling and pain that radiates to your mouth, neck, or face. Untreated infections may spread to the tooth root, causing tooth abscess, and may spread to the surrounding tissues, inviting other serious implications.
If the tooth is badly decayed, your dentist may suggest having the entire tooth removed and replaced with a bridge or an implant. While these options may sound extreme, they are safe, will protect you from other potential risk factors and improve your dental health in the long run.
Tooth Decay Treatment At Home
Professional dental treatment should be your priority if you are looking for an effective cavity pain remedy. However, there are measures you can take at home for temporary pain relief and to slow down the cavity progression until you see a dentist. Some of the home remedies for cavity pain relief include:
Saltwater Rinse: Some people have experienced temporary cavity pain relief with a warm saline rinse. This mouthwash is made by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swished in the mouth before spitting it out. Salt, a natural disinfectant, helps loosen the debris and food particles trapped in the teeth. The warmth of the rinse soothes the pain by helping reduce swelling in the gums.
Cold Compress: Some people find temporary pain relief by applying a cold compress or ice pack to the outside of their cheek near the toothache. The cold helps temporarily numb the pain and reduce inflammation. However, it does not cure the underlying cause of the tooth pain. Hence, seeking professional tooth cavity treatment for a long-term solution is ideal.
Clove Oil: Clove oil has antibacterial and natural numbing properties. Applying a few drops to a cotton swab and dabbing it gently on the affected tooth is known to offer temporary tooth cavity pain relief for some people. However, it does not cure the underlying cause of the problem, and its taste may not be equally appealing to everyone.
Quick Relief for Toothache Caused by Cavities
Cavity pain is sharp, throbbing, and constant. It occurs when the tooth cavity destroys the enamel and progresses through the dentin layer, sending pain signals to the brain. Applying home remedies like cloves to the affected area or taking painkillers may have side effects like chemical burns.
Colgate PainOut Dental Gel is an ayurvedic gel that provides express relief from dental cavity pain. PainOut has Eugenol, Camphor, and Menthol in a unique Anti-Eugenia formulation which provides symptomatic relief from Toothpain. The active ingredient in PainOut plugs transmission of pain to the brain, thus providing express relief. Camphor provides relief from swelling and menthol provides a cooling and soothing effect. These are natural ingredients, and PainOut is an easy, one-finger application. Thus Colgate PainOut provides relief from cavity pain within 2 minutes.
