Tooth Pain
Problem
Tooth pain is a universal ailment that affects almost every person at some point in their lives. The pain is caused when the nerves at the root of the tooth or those surrounding it are irritated in some way or the other. The most common causes behind it are infection of the area, decay, injury or the loss of a tooth.
In the innermost core of the tooth there lies the pulp which contains blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. Any crack or decay in the outer section of the tooth can cause an infection of the
pulp leading to inflammation and pain. This condition is termed as pulpitis. It has been estimated that around 60 to 90% of schoolchildren and nearly 100% adults have tooth decay of some form.
Other causes of tooth pain include gum infection, the formation of an abscess in the gum line, and the accidental fracture of a tooth. Pain can also occur after the extraction of a tooth or due to some trauma in the face. In some cases, the pain may originate in some other areas and spread over to the jaw, thereby appearing like tooth pain. Such pain can originate from the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ), the ear, or from the sinuses.
Solutions
The root cause of a toothache is determined by a thorough oral examination and dental X-rays. The exact treatment will depend on the cause behind the dental pain. In case there is a cavity, filling it up or extracting the tooth can be necessary. In the case of teeth infection, a root canal treatment can be effective. Antibiotics can be prescribed to control the infection and the swelling. Right Choice Dental Care believes in painless dental care to make every step of the treatment a comfortable
experience for our patients.
FAQ's
What can I do for severe tooth pain?
- Saltwater Rinse - Until you can get to the dentist, one of the best things you can do is swish warm, salty water around in your mouth. A good mix is 1/2 teaspoon table salt to 8 ounces of water. Spit it out, don’t swallow it. You can also gently floss around the sore tooth to remove any bits of food that may be stuck.
- OTC Pain Relievers - Dentists suggest acetaminophen for children. For adults, take your pick of over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen. If you choose aspirin, swallow it -- don’t put it right on the tooth or your gums! That folk remedy doesn’t work and might harm the inside of your mouth.
- Cold Compress - If your face is swollen, put an ice pack on your cheek. It may help ease the pain, especially if you’ve chipped your chopper or knocked it loose. Swelling could also mean you have an abscess, a sac of pus and gunk deep in the roots of your tooth. This can cause serious infection in your jaw and other teeth. Signs include fever and red gums.
- OTC Anesthetics - Apply these pain-relieving gels and liquids directly to the sore tooth and nearby gums. They contain benzocaine, which will numb your mouth for a little while. Beware: They’re meant for short-term use only.
- Ice - Put some ice in your hand, on the same side of the body as your sore tooth. Rub the ice in the space between your thumb and forefinger for 7 minutes, or until the area turns numb. Why does it work? Researchers believe ice stops pain signals to your brain.
- Clove Oil - This natural remedy numbs the pain. Rub it directly on the sore area, or soak a cotton ball and dab it against the tooth and gums. It may be as effective as benzocaine, the numbing ingredient in over-the-counter toothache gels..
- Garlic - When you crush one of these cloves, you release allicin, an oily liquid and natural disease fighter. Will it ease the ache? That’s not clear. But you can try chewing a piece of garlic, or placing chopped bits on your tooth. It’s safe -- except, of course, for your breath.
- Toothache Plant - With a name like that, this might seem a sure bet to ease your symptoms. Different types of this plant grow all over the world, and the oil is an ingredient in many products. But it’s not yet clear if this plant really works to ease dental pain.
What is the fastest way to stop a toothache at home?
- Saltwater Rinse - Until you can get to the dentist, one of the best things you can do is swish warm, salty water around in your mouth. A good mix is 1/2 teaspoon table salt to 8 ounces of water. Spit it out, don’t swallow it. You can also gently floss around the sore tooth to remove any bits of food that may be stuck.
- Cold Compress - If your face is swollen, put an ice pack on your cheek. It may help ease the pain, especially if you’ve chipped your chopper or knocked it loose. Swelling could also mean you have an abscess, a sac of pus and gunk deep in the roots of your tooth. This can cause serious infection in your jaw and other teeth. Signs include fever and red gums.
- Ice - Put some ice in your hand, on the same side of the body as your sore tooth. Rub the ice in the space between your thumb and forefinger for 7 minutes, or until the area turns numb. Why does it work? Researchers believe ice stops pain signals to your brain.
Why does toothache hurt so much?
Toothache occurs from inflammation of the central portion of the tooth called pulp. The pulp contains nerve endings that are very sensitive to pain. Inflammation to the pulp or pulpitis may be caused by dental cavities, trauma, and infection
The journey of a toothache starts when a small hole develops in the enamel of a tooth. There is a tube in the inside of each tooth that contains a nerve. The hole slowly enlarges making the tooth feel increasingly sensitive until the decay is touching the nerve of the tooth. This causes the nerve to die and break down.
