Toothache: what to do right now?
A toothache should not be ignored: it is a warning that something needs attention. Below are the first steps you can safely take now and the signs that mean care should happen the same day. Well Clinic Odontologia sees urgent cases in Jardim Paulista, São Paulo, in English or Portuguese.
First steps while you arrange care.
General, safe steps. They ease things, but they do not treat the cause.
Clean the area gently
Brush the area lightly and use floss to remove food trapped between the teeth, which can press on the painful spot.
A cold compress on the outside
A cold compress applied to the outside of your face may help ease the discomfort.
Nothing applied on the tooth
Do not put anything on the tooth or gum: no aspirin on the spot, no alcohol, and no ointment without professional guidance.
Medication only with guidance
Do not take antibiotics or painkillers on your own. Talk to the team on WhatsApp and get guidance first.
What the pain may be telling you.
Nobody diagnoses without an examination: only an evaluation confirms the cause in your case.
Deep decay
When decay advances it can come close to the nerve of the tooth, and the pain often shows up with sweet, cold, or hot food.
Inflammation of the nerve
Strong, throbbing pain, or pain that does not go away, may be associated with inflammation of the pulp of the tooth. In those cases a root canal is usually the path evaluated.
Gum inflammation
An inflamed or infected gum can also hurt. If there is bleeding alongside it, see what bleeding gums may mean.
Wisdom tooth
A wisdom tooth that is coming through or badly positioned can cause pain at the back of the mouth.
Seek care the same day if:
- The pain keeps you from sleeping
- There is swelling in your face or gum
- There is fever along with the pain
- The pain started after a blow or trauma
Any one of these signs calls for prompt evaluation. Monday to Friday, 8am to 7:30pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. Outside those hours and on Sundays, message the team on WhatsApp and they will organize your care.
Pain is the messenger, not the message.
Treating the pain without finding what caused it means waiting for it to come back. At Well Clinic Odontologia the 2-hour systemic first consultation reads the whole case, so that what gets treated is the cause and not only the symptom.
What patients ask us.
Can I take a painkiller for a toothache?
Do not take antibiotics or painkillers on your own. Talk to the team first and get guidance, because medication taken without direction can mask a sign that matters for the diagnosis.
Does a toothache go away on its own?
The pain may ease, but the cause usually does not disappear. Pain that comes and goes is still a reason to have the tooth evaluated.
When is a toothache an emergency?
When the pain keeps you from sleeping, when there is facial swelling or fever, or when it started after a blow or trauma. Any of those calls for prompt evaluation.
Do you treat urgent cases in English?
Yes. Urgent care and consultations can be conducted in English, at the clinic in Jardim Paulista, São Paulo.
The first consultation reads the whole case.
Two hours evaluating teeth, bite, habits, and overall health, in English if you prefer, before any plan is proposed.