What is National Toothache Day?
On February 9th, there is a not so subtle reminder of the importance of dental hygiene. A toothache is pain that can be caused by a tooth or multiple teeth, also known as odontalgia.
A toothache can make us miserable, making it impossible to eat, sleep, or even talk. It's safe to say that toothaches are never pleasant and not really something to celebrate.
We can, however, be aware of how to avoid toothaches.
Routine dental hygiene is the first step in a healthy first step. Also, avoiding sugary foods and acidic drinks, as well as daily brushing and flossing are all important. Even so, we can still have cavities, have accidents that crack or chip at a tooth, or even find ourselves with an infection. Teeth can also be sensitive to heat or cold.
Treating a toothache in the short term can be simply handled by over-the-counter medications, but seeing a dentist may still be required to address the problem. Some toothaches are so bad that they necessitate emergency intervention, so treating the early signs of a mild toothache is vital.
