Toothaches can range from mild to severe and are often caused by an intruder, such as a popcorn hull stuck in your gum or a broken tooth. This discomfort may also be due to bacteria in the mouth causing infection. If you’re experiencing any level of pain in your teeth, jaw or gums, it is essential that you visit your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Achieving tooth pain relief demands an integrated strategy, but the key to triumph lies in recognising what is causing your agony. Once you know this, you can effectively treat and manage it.
What can cause a toothache?
Many different things can cause a toothache, but the most common are:
1. Cavity/Tooth decay
Generally, toothaches are usually caused by cavities. Cavity formation is primarily the result of inadequate oral hygiene practices, such as not brushing or flossing regularly. These small holes in your teeth grow deeper and wider with time if not taken care of properly. Moreover, when sugary foods mix with saliva, they can also contribute to cavity development, thus eating away at your teeth’s enamel over a period of time.
2. Abscessed tooth
An abscessed tooth is an infection that has penetrated the internal ‘pulp chamber’, resulting in a range of symptoms. These may include painful swelling, infected roots, and even bone loss around the affected area. This type of affliction can stem from various causes, such as deep cavities which breach this inner structure, trauma caused by grinding or dental treatments like crowns getting too close to it, all leading to intense discomfort.
3. Gum disease
Gum disease can occur when dental hygiene is neglected, and plaque accumulates. Consequently, your gums will become red, swollen, and bleed over time. While some people may not experience pain from this condition (gingivitis), it could eventually lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
To help prevent gum diseases such as periodontitis, make sure you floss daily for two minutes each session both morning and night; brush effectively up and down for two minutes twice a day, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay.
4. Injury/trauma
If you experience a dental injury resulting in a broken or knocked-out tooth, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your dentist right away. Toothaches caused by injuries such as these can be quite painful and uncomfortable, so taking swift action is critical for alleviating the pain quickly.
5. Wisdom teeth
If you’re feeling discomfort in your upper back and the lowest molar region of your mouth, it might be a sign that it’s time to remove those wisdom teeth. Keeping them in can lead to aches and pains; when they are ready for extraction, there will usually be redness or tenderness around the affected area.
As your wisdom teeth grow, the discomfort you feel will only worsen unless they are properly aligned. Unfortunately, if misaligned or sideways growth occurs, it can cause considerable pain as these teeth press against nerves and bones in addition to other nearby teeth.
6. Teeth grinding/bruxism
Toothaches are usually attributed to inadequate dental hygiene and erupting teeth, yet they may also result from bad habits such as tooth grinding. If left unchecked, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) —which connects the lower jaw with your skull for speech and eating purposes— can experience pain due to a misaligned bite or damaged muscles caused by this habit.
7. Abnormal bite
Similar to teeth grinding, an incorrect bite can also be a potential source of TMJ Syndrome. Your upper and bottom teeth should comfortably fit together; however, if they don’t line up correctly (malocclusion), it could cause issues with chewing or biting down. An abnormal bite is not only inconvenient but may even be painful in some cases.
Why is toothache so painful?
Suffering from a toothache can be an excruciatingly painful experience, one that has the power to disrupt normal life. The sharp agonies you feel are generated by inflamed nerve endings in your teeth’s pulp chamber. When this inner layer of your teeth is irritated due to decay, infection or other reasons, it will send pain signals directly to the brain – without fail!
How does a toothache present?
If you find yourself in toothache territory, some of the most typical signs include:
- Intense discomfort at the time of biting or gnashing your teeth.
- A stabbing, pulsating, or a dull ache in your gums and teeth.
- Increased sensitivity to cold and hot edibles as well as drinks.
- An appalling taste lingers in one’s mouth cavity.
- Reddening and enlargement around the gum line area.
If you are feeling any of the following signs, it is critical to contact your dentist immediately.
While it’s important to make an appointment with a dentist for medical attention as soon as possible, there are some self-care tips and natural home remedies you can try out in the meantime. Here are a few helpful methods that may reduce your toothache discomfort and aid in healing:
Clove oil
To experience temporary pain relief for a toothache or inflammation, consider this herbal remedy! Combine a few drops of clove oil with some water and swish it around your mouth – you’ll feel the numbing effects almost immediately. If that doesn’t quite work to alleviate pain levels, apply some clove oil on a cotton ball directly onto the sore area–you’ll be experiencing speedy healing in no time!
Saltwater rinse
For much-needed relief from toothache pain, rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can be quite effective. The solution helps to flush out any bacteria that is potentially creating discomfort in the first place. Add one teaspoon of salt to one glass of warm water and swish it in your mouth a couple of times. You can do this remedy two or three times a day. Ensure that you do not ingest this solution.
Cold compress
For a soothing and calming sensation, cover an ice cube in a towel and place it on the impacted area for 20 minutes at once. To maximize its effect, be sure to repeat this process every few hours until you begin seeing improvement.
Garlic
Garlic is packed with natural antibacterial properties, which can help soothe an aching tooth and reduce inflammation caused by infection. Simply take one clove of garlic, smash it up and apply it to the affected area for relief.
Peppermint tea
A hot peppermint tea bag, when pressed against a sore tooth and gum, can help alleviate pain. Boil some water and steep the bag for several minutes until the liquid reaches optimal temperature – this will give you an instant remedy that’s both safe and simple!
Although home remedies are often helpful in soothing discomfort from a toothache, it is important to consult with your dentist before attempting any type of self-treatment if regular medications do not provide relief. Until you get your appointment with your dentist, these are self-care tips that can also help relieve your toothache:
- Ease your toothache symptoms and reduce inflammation with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Twice a day, brush your teeth with toothpaste and a toothbrush to keep them clean. Additionally, floss after every meal for optimum dental hygiene.
- Until your toothache has passed, it’s best to steer clear of consuming food or beverages that are too hot or cold.
What happens when I go to the dentist for a painful tooth?
When you visit your dentist for a toothache, they will take an in-depth look at the affected area and ask about your medical history. To get to the root of what is causing discomfort, X-rays or imaging scans may be taken.
When it comes to identifying the issue, your dentist may suggest endodontic treatments like root canal therapy. This approach involves removing the damaged pulp from the area and cleaning and sealing off the site of infection, followed by a permanent dental crown for restoring normal tooth function and comfort. By opting for this treatment plan, you can find relief from that nagging toothache in no time!
Don’t let tooth pain put a damper on your day! Expert treatments like antibiotics, fillings, crowns or professional cleanings can help you feel better and give you the smile of your dreams. If it’s an abscessed tooth or gum disease causing difficulty for you, these solutions will restore authority over your oral health!
It is essential to seek medical advice from a dental professional if experiencing any kind of oral pain and to get a precise diagnosis as well as a treatment plan.
At Port Macquarie Dental Centre, our professional and compassionate dentists are here to give you swift pain relief. Moreover, we strive to keep your oral health in the best condition possible by detecting any problems quickly and accurately so that they can be treated before they cause irreparable damage or dental pain. Make an appointment today – your smile will thank you.
References
11 home and natural remedies for tooth pain relief
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/home-remedies-for-toothache
An overview of toothaches
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/toothache