Toothache
Why have regular dental checkups?
Toothache is pain around the teeth and jaws as a result of a dental condition.
Causes:
- Dental Cavity
- Exposed Pulp
- Gum Disease
- Cracked Tooth
- Jaw Pain from the Temporo Mandibular joint.
Other causes which may result in dental pain are:
- Earache
- Sinusitis
- Angina
Toothache can vary from a mild ache to sharp pain, throbbing pain and severe pain. When it’s most severe pain and pain relievers don’t stop the pain, a quick visit to the dentist is the only answer. Many patients will try anything to avoid going to the dentist, such as strong pain relievers and antibiotics, but they don’t treat the cause of the pain only the symptoms, and they will still have to go to the dentist to get treatment, but the sooner you go, the better the chances of saving the tooth.
Dental causes: Cavities, broken teeth, abscesses, cracked tooth, gum disease, receding gums and impacted wisdom teeth.
Small cavities can be treated simply with a filling. Deeper cavities may have exposed the pulp and will need root canal treatment or extraction. Abscesses will need antibiotics and possibly extraction. The cracked tooth will have a hairline crack which will be painful when biting hard and sensitive to hot and cold. This may require root canal treatment and a crown. Receding gums cause exposed root surface which is sensitive to hot, cold and acidic foods. This can normally be treated with topical fluoride gels, sensitive toothpastes and sensitive mouthwashes. The impacted, erupting wisdom tooth can cause pain, swelling and infection. This can be treated with pain relievers, antibiotics and possibly extraction. The jaw joint (the TMJ) can cause dental pain, and this can be due to an injury to the jaw, arthritis, grinding (bruxism) or stress. This can be treated with anti inflammatory tablets such as Nurofen, heat treatment to the joint, a bite guard and avoiding eating hard foods.
How to avoid toothache:
- Keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Reduce intake of sugary foods and drinks.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- VISIT YOUR DENTIST
