|
What causes a toothache?
While decay often is cited as the primary cause of a toothache, it's important for you to have a complete oral examination to determine the cause. Other dental causes of a toothache include: dental abscess (infection in the nerve of a tooth), gum disease, grinding teeth (bruxism), previous tooth trauma and a abnormal bite. Tooth eruption may also be the cause of tooth or jaw pain.
Sinus or ear infections, and tension in the facial muscles can cause discomfort that resembles a toothache, but often these health problems are accompanied by a headache.
Why does my tooth ache?
You may have a dental cavity or advanced gum disease. The first sign of decay may be the pain you feel when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. If the pulp - the inside of the tooth that has tissue and nerves - has become irritated, this also can cause pain in your tooth.
What are the symptoms of a toothache?
Because the symptoms of a toothache may resemble other medical conditions or dental problems, it can be difficult to diagnose the cause without a complete evaluation by a dentist.
If you notice pus near the source of the pain, your tooth may have become abscessed, causing the surrounding bone to become infected. Or the pus could indicate gum disease, which usually is characterized by inflammation of the soft tissue and abnormal loss of bone surrounding the teeth.
Contact your dentist immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
Fever
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Swelling around the tooth area
Pain when you bite
How do I alleviate the pain if I cannot see my dentist right away?
Anyone with a toothache should see a dentist at once for diagnosis and treatment because, if left untreated, your condition can worsen. However, if you are unable to schedule an emergency appointment, a self-care treatment can temporarily alleviate pain and inflammation from a toothache:
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Floss teeth to remove any food particles between teeth.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve pain. Never place aspirin directly in the tooth or on the gum, it can cause burning.
- Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Direct application of oil of cloves (eugenol) may also help to numb the gums. The oil may be rubbed directly on the sore area or soak a small piece of cotton and apply it tot the sore tooth.
- If there has been some trauma to the tooth, a cold compress may be applied to the outside cheek to relieve pain or swelling. If your tooth has been knocked out, forced out of position, loosened or fractured, visit the dentist's office or a hospital emergency room immediately.
How can my dentist help?
A dentist will conduct a complete oral examination to determine the location and cause of the toothache, looking for signs of swelling, redness and obvious tooth damage. He or she may also take X-rays looking for evidence of tooth decay between teeth, a cracked or impacted tooth, or a disorder of the underlying bone - problems that the dentist may not be able to find through a routine exam.
The dentist also may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to speed the healing of your toothache. If, by the time you see your dentist, your tooth has become infected, then treatment could require removal of the tooth or a root canal procedure, which involves removing the damaged nerve tissue from the middle of the tooth.
Is there some way to prevent a toothache?
The key to preventing toothaches is establishing a regular oral hygiene. For example, failure to brush and floss regularly after meals can significantly increase your risk of developing cavities. After you eat, bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and starch and produce acid that can "eat" a hole (or cavity) in your tooth's enamel. If the cavity is not filled, it can cause pain and potentially destroy the dentin, pulp and the tooth's nerve.
Here are a few tips to help reduce your risk for developing a toothache:
- Brush at least twice a day, preferably after every meal and snack.
- Floss once a day to prevent gum disease
- Visit your dentist twice a year, at least every six months for oral examinations and a professional cleaning.
|
|
