Are you experiencing severe tooth pain after eating? If so, you may be having a tooth infection. When you have a damaged or decayed tooth, harmful bacteria can build up on the tooth. After eating, the bacteria feed on the sugar from the food and produce acids which erode the enamel, dentin and other hard tissues of the teeth.

The bacteria's erosive action on the teeth leads to severe pain, which can lead to a dental emergency. If you're suffering severe tooth pain after eating, here are a few steps you can take to manage the pain as you prepare to see a dentist.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Tooth pain that lingers after eating results from bacteria's action on food particles in the mouth. It can also be due to lodged food particles on already damaged or decayed teeth. Thus, you can reduce the teeth by brushing and flossing. Brushing gets rid of food particles while flossing further eliminates foods stuck in between the teeth.

Once you've taken these two steps, the bacteria have no sugars to feed on, and this will reduce their activity in the mouth. You should experience temporary relief. However, it's essential to visit a dentist so they can treat any underlying problems such as tooth decay or physical injury.

Rinse With Warm, Salty Water

If you've brushed your teeth and the pain isn't going away, consider rinsing your mouth with warm, salty water. The salt in the water has an antibacterial effect that helps disinfect your mouth and soothe any wounds that may be causing the pain. The water also loosens any particles that are stuck in the tooth. 

You can also use mouthwash in the place of warm, salty water. Antibacterial mouthwashes help kill bacteria and temporarily soothe severe tooth pain. However, take care when using mouthwashes, especially if they are not labelled as suitable for everyday use. Instead of using them every day to soothe pain, consider visiting a dentist for a long-lasting solution. 

Take OTC Pain Relievers

An over-the-counter painkiller can help to relieve severe tooth pain. However, avoid the use of pain relievers for prolonged periods. Just like any other pain, a toothache is an indicator of an underlying dental problem. Using painkillers provides temporary relief without curing the problem. 

If you're suffering from tooth pain due to an abscess or dental cavities, the medication will only treat the pain but not the infection. Failure to get dental treatment can lead to severe complications in the future.

Severe tooth pain is a sign of an underlying problem which should be addressed by a dentist. Meanwhile, these solutions will help you manage the pain as you make arrangements to visit an emergency dentist.