When a toothache comes on, you may find yourself feeling frantic. Does this mean you will need your tooth removed? Should you schedule emergency dental care? Maybe you are overreacting and just need to take a pain reliever, buck up, and give it a few weeks to see if the problem goes away. Because sudden discomfort that you cannot diagnose on your own is confusing and alarming, we encourage you to seek clarification on this topic. Fortunately, responding to this oral health concern is quite simple if you know what to do. Test your knowledge (or find out how to react) with an informative quiz.

Toothaches: True or False?

  1. True or False: If you have a toothache, you should immediately contact us for emergency dental care.
  2. True or False: If your tooth hurts, the oral health problem you are facing is most likely an infection, so you should only visit us if you are prepared to schedule a root canal treatment.
  3. True or False: For a toothache accompanied by swelling, the best thing to do is double up on your over-the-counter analgesic to make sure it works.

Quiz Answers

  1. False. If your tooth hurts a bit and it’s tolerable, you may take an over-the-counter pain reliever and schedule a regular visit with us. However, if it is intolerable, then scheduling emergency care is a good plan.
  2. False. A wide variety of problems may lead to a toothache. You may have bitten down on food that was too hard, severe congestion may cause a tooth to hurt, you may have a cavity, infection may have begun, or other issues may be taking place. The best way to respond is to remain calm and schedule a visit with us for a definitive oral health answer.
  3. False. Always take pain relievers as directed on the package. For additional relief, place a cold pack gently against your face over the area that is uncomfortable. This will alleviate pain and swelling until we see you.

Riverside Dental Group and Dental Associate Offices Serves a Community Near You!

Our dentists look forward to caring for you and every member of your family with a comprehensive selection of services. We will maintain and improve your oral health with a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, implant, and emergency dentistry techniques. We also specialize in endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and orthodontics, serving patients from Riverside, Temecula, Moreno Valley, Corona, and all surrounding California communities. To schedule an appointment, contact one of the following locations nearest to you:

Riverside Dental Group at Magnolia in Riverside, CA at (951) 689-5031.

Dental Associates of Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA at (951) 697-6800.

Riverside Dental Group at Woodcrest in Riverside, CA at (951) 776-9001.

Oasis Family Dental in Temecula, CA at (951) 695-2290.

Dental Associates of Riverside in Riverside, CA at  (951) 369-1001.

Dental Associates of Corona in Corona, CA at (951) 273-9580.