Toothache: understanding and relieving dental pain

A toothache is a painful and distressing experience. This dental disease is very common. However, not everyone knows the exact causes, nor the consequences if toothache is not treated in time.

The Nutrident.fr team reviews all the information on this pathology through this special file dedicated to dental rabies.

What causes toothache?

Toothache occurs when an inflammation affects the central part of the tooth called the pulp. The dental pulp contains nerve endings or roots that are very sensitive to pain.

Pulp inflammation or pulpitis is caused by a rather extensive list of elements, and the main causes of tooth pain are

• Dental caries
• Temperature sensitivity of food/drinks
• Cold or hot air
• Teeth grinding
• Braces
• Dental abscess
• Wisdom tooth
• Pregnancy
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Gingival recession
• Dental fracture
• Acid erosion
• Damaged crown or filling

What are the symptoms that accompany a toothache?

If there is severe pain in the tooth, it can spread to the cheek, ear or jaw. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Pain when chewing
• Sensitivity to hot or cold air or liquid
• Bleeding around the tooth and gum
• Swelling around the tooth, gum, jaw or cheek
• Injury or trauma in the painful area

These symptoms can sometimes be related to dental caries or gum disease. Tooth decay or a reddish area of the gums surrounding the tooth may indicate the source of the tooth pain.

However, toothache must be differentiated from other sources of pain in this part of the head: sinusitis, pain in the throat or ears or injury to the temporomandibular joint can be misinterpreted as toothache.

Pain emanating from deeper structures can be transferred to the nerve and felt in the jaw or tooth. An evaluation by a dentist is necessary to diagnose the source of the pain.

Should I see a dentist for a toothache?

You should contact your dentist for advice in the following cases:

• Dental pain is not radiated after using anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, etc. Even though you may experience pain relief, a dental evaluation can be beneficial if it addresses a problem that may be more serious if treated later.
• If you experience severe pain more than two days after the tooth is removed, the tooth tissue may not be completely healed. It is a condition known as dental alveolitis or “dry socket”. In this case, you should see your dentist immediately.
• The pain may cause swelling in certain parts of the gums or face. A fever is also a sign of an infection. Swelling and fever can be a warning sign of an abscess. A dental abscess may require the use of antibiotics (amoxicillin) and drainage of the abscess.

• Pain may occur at the angle of the jaw. If opening your mouth causes pain, chances are the TMJ is affected or irritated. This may be after an injury or after trying to eat something too large. Your dentist will be able to suggest solutions to the problems.
• Wisdom teeth can cause pain. When the wisdom teeth come out, there is inflammation of the gums around the tooth, which can cause gum infection. The pain may spread to the jaw and ear. Swelling in these areas may also prevent the jaw from closing.

Did you know that you can strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities by taking a daily spoonful ofcod liver oil?

What are the home remedies?

So, what to do if you are in pain?

For dental pain

• You can take advil or ibuprofen as a first step before consulting your dentist;
• Do not eat too hot or too cold, as this can make the pain worse;
• A home remedy is to bite on a piece of cotton soaked in clove oil;
• Garlic contains a chemical called Allicin, which acts as a natural antibiotic and can fight a toothache. By incorporating more garlic into his diet, you can reduce his susceptibility to toothache. To relieve pain, you can crush garlic and mix it with a little salt before applying it to the sensitive area;
• Applying a gel like Orajel to sensitive areas can also help.

For jaw pain

• You can take advil or aspirin to relieve it at first
• If the pain occurs every time you open your mouth, the TMJ may be the concern. At first, avoid eating large pieces or materials that are difficult to chew, apply some heat to the jaw, and avoid opening your mouth wide. It is best to consult your doctor to find the best treatment (medication, pill, etc.)

What are the treatments?

Your dentist will do an evaluation, and an x-ray as well, to define where the pain is coming from.

Beforehand, use an advil to ease the pain.

Your dentist may use a fluoride treatment to strengthen the tooth and close the part of the tooth that causes sensitivity.

In other cases, the dentist may consider that a deep cleaning is necessary to remove harmful bacteria and plaque trapped under the gum.

If cavities are present, the dentist may decide to place fillings. If the tooth is broken, a crown after root canal or a root canal can be considered. If the tooth is too severely damaged, then there is no choice but to extract the tooth to relieve the pain.

This article may also give you additional ideas for treating pain.

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Can a toothache be prevented?

Good dental hygiene is the best way to avoid toothache.

1. Brush your teeth three times a day
2. Floss once a day, preferably before bedtime, to remove food from between your teeth. If it bleeds at first, it's not abnormal so keep doing it regularly and you will see that your gums will stop bleeding because of the reduction of bacteria around your teeth.
3. Change your toothbrush regularly, like every two to three months.
4. When brushing your teeth, be sure to brush your gums as well to maintain healthy gums. An electric toothbrush can also help you in this sense.
5. The dental jet is also an option if you want to remove particles stuck between your teeth.
6. There are modern toothpastes, or gels that once applied to the teeth can fight the acid attacks of bacteria and can also help remineralize the teeth. These products usually contain xylitol or fluoride.
7. Visit your dentist once or twice a year to have your teeth cleaned. Studies have shown that this reduces cavities and gingivitis
8. Don't smoke, because it makes your teeth worse. Easy to say, but if you really need help, read Carr's book on the easy way to quit smoking and stop harming those around you (seriously, I can't be the only one who's sick of smelling like a fag because I wanted to get some fresh air on the balcony at work?)

What food relieves a toothache?

If you suffer from a toothache, try to eat the following foods:

• Baked potatoes
• Soup
• Sandwich with bread
• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese

Who to contact in case of a dental emergency?

Call your dentist of course, so keep his or her number in plain sight. In the meantime, if you need to wait a few days, follow the tips in this article to manage the pain.

If you are traveling, use the emergency number on your insurance card.

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