Beware the "Toothworm": Managing a Modern Toothache - Dr. Santos Cortez

As long as there have been humans, there have been toothaches. Throughout various cultures in ancient times, people believed that the pain in their teeth was caused by a toothworm – a literal worm that found its way into their mouth and bored deep into their teeth. In the eighteenth century, the myth of the toothworm died out, and today we understand the exact causes of toothaches and how to treat the pain involved.

Any pain originating inside the tooth indicates that the nerve of the tooth is irritated. The most common source of this kind of toothache is a cavity, or a hole in the outer layer of the tooth caused by decay. Other common sources of toothache include a broken or cracked tooth, an abscess, an exposed root, an impacted tooth, an erupting tooth, temporomandibular jaw disorder (TMJ), and gum disease. In rare cases, a toothache can be a symptom of a problem outside of the mouth, such as an ear infection, a sinus problem, or even heart disease.

Toothache pain can range from sharp and brief to dull and extended. It may be intensified with exposure to hot, cold, sweet or sour foods. For temporary relief until you can make it in to our office, try the following:

* Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out
* Carefully remove any particles from between your teeth with dental floss
* Take aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain (Important: never put aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen directly in contact with your gums; this can damage your gum tissue)
* Avoid extremely hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods
* Apply an over-the-counter numbing gel to the tooth
* Soak a cotton ball or swab in clove oil (available in most pharmacies) and bite down on it

A toothache is a symptom of a dental or other kind of medical problem, so make an appointment with us immediately. We can conduct a complete examination, including x-rays if necessary, to determine the cause of your toothache.

Because cavities are a very common cause of toothache, the best way to avoid one is to maintain your oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to our office for professional cleanings and examinations.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we take the anxiety out of dentistry and orthodontics. But don’t take our word for it, see what our patients have to say!My son is very comfortable with the doctors, they have an extremely kid friendly atmosphere
-Michael K.

I love Dr. Cortez and how he provides information that I am able to understands. I have referred so many people over to Dr. Cortez, because I know that they will love his work. He takes pride in working with children. He makes you feel welcome
-Ryan K.

My kids are taken care of by specialists in an environment where they are looking out for them--not trying to figure out how to charge me for more things. The staff is very kind and polite with all of us!
-Martha G.

It is a very comfortable environment for both me and my son, who is 2 1/2. I trust the staff and they are all very friendly.
-Michael E.

The office is able to work with children with special needs. The staff takes the time to explain things when I have questions. I like the personalized book they gave my children when they were new patients.
-Sean A.

Dr. Cortez makes my daughter excited about dental care. She loves coming for her appointments.
-Sonora O.

Very kid friendly office and staff with an excellent reputation for being one of the best.
-Dawn S.

Dr. Cortez and his staff have always been great! I have been coming here since I was a little tyke and it is always great. In two words: THEY ROCK !!!!!
-Andrew T.

Dr. Santos is incredible. I have recommended him to several friends.
-Micha C.

I'm new and was very impressed by the atmosphere and the friendly staff and dentist. But, the most important thing was that my daughter felt comfortable. This website is just the icing on the cake! Great idea...
-Lori M.

Scheduling Your Appointment with Pediatric Dental Specialists

Our office makes every effort to accommodate your schedule. However, we strongly recommend that preschool and young children be seen in the morning because they are usually more rested, cooperative and attentive. School-aged children that require extensive dental treatment should also be seen in the morning for the same reasons.

Please be advised that a dental appointment is an excused absence. When possible, we will schedule older children and teens first thing in the morning or after school. We realize that as parents you do not want your children to miss an excessive amount of school so we also offer appointments during some school holidays and vacations.

Meet the Staff of Pediatric Dental Specialists!

Our staff is a strong team of compassionate and highly trained individuals who are committed to life-long oral health for our patients. You will find each of them caring and knowledgeable.

This team is made up of clerical and clinical staff. The clinical staff members are registered dental assistants and are certified with coronal polishing and x-ray licenses by the Department of California- Department of Consumer Affairs. They take over 25 hours of Continuing Education to renew their licenses in a variety of topics, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Infection Control. Our staff, besides having the professional training, also possess the practical experience of being parents.