Toothache

Toothache or Toothache are pains that can occur particularly frequently in humans. Often the toothache is caused by diseases of the teeth, the tooth roots or the oral jaw. Sometimes, however, they only occur when the teeth are over-sensitive to external stimuli such as cold or heat.

What is a toothache?

Toothache is a continuous pain in the area of ​​the teeth. The pain is usually so severe that the person concerned voluntarily goes for treatment.

A distinction is made between different types of toothache: It can start directly from the teeth, but it can also affect the teeth holding apparatus with the gums that surround the teeth.

causes

The causes of toothache can be many. The teeth are covered by the protective enamel, but they are still one of the parts of the body that can cause the most pain. Toothache is usually caused by irritation of the nerves, because every tooth is pervaded by them - this is shown, for example, by the fact that teeth can react sensitively to temperature differences in food. It is the same with toothache that originates from the gums.

One of the most common causes of toothache is tooth decay. The tooth enamel is attacked and toothache occurs when using the teeth. The pain is particularly noticeable when sweet food is consumed - otherwise tooth decay can go unnoticed. Pulpitis is another common cause of toothache.

This is an inflammation of the tooth pulp, which can be caused by caries attack, for example. The toothache occurs spontaneously; Initially, there are relatively painless phases in between, but these shorten within a few days and permanent pain can occur. The toothache radiates, making it difficult to locate the affected tooth.

Periodontitis is the inflammation of the root - it is caused by pulpitis. The toothache in this case is characterized by a pounding pain; biting also causes severe pain. Occasionally, the affected tooth cannot even be touched painlessly with the tongue.

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Diseases with this symptom

• Caries
• Sinus inflammation
• migraine
• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Pulpitis
• Barotrauma
• Angina pectoris
• Jaw cysts

• Periodontal disease
• Tooth fracture
• Shingles
• Otitis media

Complications

If toothache is left untreated, it will usually not go away on its own. The pain in the tooth indicates a stimulus that is emerging either on the nerve or on the gum. If left untreated, inflammation often occurs in the gums or in the tooth root itself.

With such inflammations, the entire tooth root usually has to be removed so that the toothache disappears. Likewise, if the patient is not treated, oral hygiene may deteriorate. Toothache is also often associated with an unpleasant and putrid smell from the oral cavity, which can be very repulsive to other people.

Toothache should therefore always be treated quickly so that no further inflammation is triggered. When treating toothache, the patient is often given an injection to relieve the pain that occurs during the treatment. After the syringe loses its effectiveness, there is usually a lot of pain in the tooth that was treated.

This is because the nerve is exposed to many stimuli during the treatment and the patient can still feel them after the treatment. Often the gums around the tooth and the cheek in which the syringe was placed also hurt. However, after a few days this pain should go away.

When should you go to the doctor?

As a rule, a doctor should always be consulted with toothache. In most cases the toothache does not go away on its own and can lead to severe inflammation or consequential damage. Treatment by means of self-help is neither possible nor recommended. A dentist should be consulted when the toothache makes it impossible for the patient to ingest food and drink fluids in the normal manner.

Often the teeth are sensitive to pain. In addition to the toothache, there can also be a bad smell from the oral cavity, which in most cases is an inflammation. A doctor should also be consulted here. If the pain in the teeth does not persist and only occurs when chewing, a visit to the doctor is also recommended, as this pain usually increases further. If you have a toothache after an accident, you should go to a dentist or the hospital straight away.

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Treatment & Therapy

Toothache is treated differently depending on the cause. To determine the correct method, it is first necessary to carefully examine the toothache in order to identify the stage of decay.

A filling is required for tooth decay. To do this, all parts of the affected tooth enamel are first removed so that no bacteria remain. The resulting hole is then filled. The toothache will then go away.

If the pulp is destroyed or has already died, a root canal treatment must be carried out.The inflamed material including all germs is removed in order to prevent further toothache. The root canal is then cleaned, filled as required and then artificially closed again.

Toothache caused by periodontitis is eliminated by thoroughly removing pathogens from the affected areas of the tooth supporting structure. This takes place in several cleaning steps. If necessary, antibiotics are used at the same time.

↳ More information: Home remedies for toothache

Outlook & forecast

In most cases, toothache does not go away on its own and therefore needs to be examined and treated by a doctor. As a rule, toothache can be treated relatively well, so that the patient does not experience any further symptoms. In many cases, the treatment is carried out under anesthesia, so that the patient does not experience any pain during the treatment.

Often times, an inflamed tooth root leads to the toothache. The tooth can be completely removed so that the pain disappears. A strong anesthetic is also applied to the affected area.

If the toothache occurs due to wisdom teeth, they usually have to be removed. After removal, there is often swelling and pain, but this disappears after a few days. Often, those affected can no longer eat or drink any fluids when they have a toothache, and everyday life is restricted.

Due to the toothache, physical activity is often no longer possible, as the pain spreads to the regions of the ears and head and also leads to discomfort there. Most toothaches, however, are relatively easy to treat.

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prevention

The key to a life without a toothache is taking care of your teeth regularly. By brushing your teeth regularly, you will significantly reduce the number of dangerous bacteria in your mouth and keep your teeth healthy. Damage that has already occurred, such as tooth decay, can even be reduced with careful care so that toothache does not occur at all.

Avoiding certain foods can also help prevent toothache early on. Especially sugary foods should be consumed in moderation. This also includes carbohydrates.

You can do that yourself

Particularly careful oral hygiene is important for toothache. This includes i.a. Thoroughly brush your teeth two to three times and clean the spaces between the teeth with dental floss and / or interdental brushes. If the pain is due to exposed tooth necks and not inflammation, it can be helpful to put fluoride toothpaste on the painful area to protect it.

Damp and cold pads on the painful side can have a very beneficial effect. If the swelling is severe, ice packs can also help. In addition, cloves are often helpful against toothache. It is best to use clove oil from the pharmacy, which is applied to the painful area. Sage tea, which is rinsed in the mouth, usually has an analgesic and calming effect. In addition, iodine can also relieve toothache. A drop of iodine is applied. It is important to let it take effect, but not to swallow it. If you have a toothache, cold or hot should not come into direct contact with the teeth.

People with toothache should pay particular attention to a healthy lifestyle. Smoking should be avoided because the oral mucous membranes and gums are poorly supplied with blood when consuming nicotine and can thus trigger pain. A healthy diet with lots of vegetables and whole grain products is also recommended. Physical exercise, stress reduction and relaxation exercises strengthen the body's defenses and thus also promote dental health.