A Toothache can cause extreme discomfort, especially if the ache continues consistently. It often leaves many people wondering why a tooth can be so painful and significantly deny anyone peace.
The tooth is a small organ, and its inner pulp has a system of essential tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. That makes the pulp one of the most sensitive parts of your body. The sensitivity makes your tooth susceptible to high pain levels, despite its size. Toothaches can also worsen, especially if you don't address the discomfort early.
A toothache is a pain you feel in or around your teeth. It can begin as a minor throbbing from irritation close to or on your tooth's nerves and get better when it stops.
The discomfort can also result from tooth decay or other serious underlying conditions that require professional intervention to heal. A toothache indicates that your tooth's pulp has inflammation or a problem with your gums. The pain is most noticeable if the inflammation is along gum ridges or close to your jaw.
The risk factors for tooth pains can range from minor irritations to major infections, including dental decay. Dental surgeries such as tooth extraction can also lead to wound infection if you don't take proper care of the affected area.
Some of the most typical causes of pain in teeth include:
A healthy tooth has a hard outer layer called enamel that covers and protects the delicate nerves beneath. However, this protective layer wears out with time, exposing your teeth to external factors. An exposed pulp means everything you drink or eat reaches the nerve endings. Eating cold or hot foods will irritate the nerves and cause sharp pain.
Gum disease and excessive pressure from teeth brushing can shrink your gums, leaving the roots of your teeth exposed. That increases the chances of irritation from foods and drinks.
Bacteria, especially from sugary foods, stick to your tooth every time you eat. Unless you brush the bacteria away, they poke holes called cavities in your tooth's enamel. Also, cracks exposing the sensitive layers of your teeth can be cause for concern. These cracks and cavities can cause tooth pain or make your teeth highly sensitive to bites.
Deep cracks and cavities also allow bacteria to access your tooth's pulp. Thus, you risk an infection and pus buildup in the pulp, a condition referred to as an abscess. If you don't address it in time, this infection can quickly spread to the tissues in your tooth's pulp and the surrounding bones.
Repeating movements such as grinding your teeth or chewing sugary gum hasten enamel wear, exposing the sensitive tissues beneath. Grinding teeth can lead to cracks, especially if you typically do it while asleep. The cracks in teeth expose the pulp to infections and irritation. The continuous movements also weaken your tooth's defense against infections and toothaches.
Wearing a nightguard is one teeth grinding solution, but you should first consult with your dentist for a detailed diagnosis.
Teething is a painful process, regardless of age. Teething infants and children aged 6 to 7 years old experience some pain when their permanent teeth emerge. Adults are no exception, as you'll feel some discomfort when your wisdom teeth cut through the gum.
Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth often cause discomfort when eating or talking. Thus, you may have to remove them to feel better. If not healed properly, extracted teeth can also encourage bacteria that lead to infections.
Sometimes your tooth pain can result from a problem unrelated to your oral health. For instance, cluster headaches or migraines are major contributors to discomfort in your teeth and jaw. Similarly, clogged sinuses, heart attacks (in rare cases), or muscle and joint issues with your jaw's connection to your skull can also cause toothaches.
If you don't floss and brush regularly, food that remains stuck in your teeth can cause decay as it offers a breeding ground for bacteria. These unwanted guests increase the chances of developing a cavity or gum infection. It's important to note that poor dental hygiene can lead to oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Also, improper dental procedures (including a bad tooth filling) make it hard for your teeth to recover as expected. They can catch infections from the poor procedure, leading to unbearable toothaches.
Noticing and addressing tooth pain in time stops the problem from spreading to other parts of your body and the mainstream. For instance, sensitivity is a common issue, and many people react to different stimuli. However, it could be a big problem, especially if the sharp pain lasts 15 seconds or more after the triggers stop. The inflamed area often extends if you don't address the issue in time. Thus, the pain will probably radiate to your ear, cheeks, or jaw.
Here are some indications that you need the attention of a specialist:
Sometimes tooth pain results from factors that aren't related to dental problems. In such cases, visit a doctor immediately. If your toothache is anything requiring a dentist, your doctor will advise. Some of the indications to look out for a referred toothache include:
The right approach to addressing toothache symptoms depend on the cause of the pain, the severity of the damage, and the location.
For instance, you can soothe minor tooth pain by using home remedies while waiting for your dentist's visit. On the other hand, pain resulting from referred pains or injury call for an immediate doctor's checkup.
Toothaches require special care. You can find some relief by using over-the-counter pain medication, herbs, cold compresses, and other natural treatments.
While herbal treatments work in some cases, most of them aren't medically approved. Thus, you may want to consult your doctor before using any herbal or natural substance. Here are some home remedies for toothaches and jaw pains:
The proper medical treatment for your toothache depends on the nature of the pain, your medical history, and the severity of the damage. For an accurate diagnosis, your dentist will ask you questions about the pain, including when it started, where it hurts, what you've been using to manage the pain, what accelerates it, and more.
Your dentist may carry out panoramic X-rays of your jaw and teeth and check your sinuses, throat, tongue, ears, neck, and nose to determine the severity of your condition. Depending on your dentist's diagnosis, you may also have to undergo other tests.
The treatment you'll receive depends on your dentist's findings. Your dentist may resort to fillings or removing the tooth if it's badly affected by an oral cavity. An infection in the tooth nerve may require a root canal, while an antibiotic may be your best resort if bacteria is the culprit behind the pain. You'll also get painkillers to ease the discomfort.
Toothache prevention is possible, especially with thorough oral hygiene and dental care. Here are some of the prevention measures to consider:
Toothaches are a common struggle for many people. Most complications result from what you eat, poor oral hygiene, and improper practices. You can avoid severe pains by being cautious with everything you eat.
Also, checking with your dentist at least twice per year can help you prevent toothaches. Seek an immediate checkup if you feel something isn't right with your teeth, gums, or jaw. Likewise, a toothache that lasts more than two days and doesn't respond to home remedies may indicate that you need an emergency procedure at your dentist's office.
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