Toothache or toothache is pain that can be particularly common in humans. Often, toothaches are caused by diseases of the teeth, the roots of the teeth or the oral jaw. Sometimes, however, they occur only when the teeth are hypersensitive to external stimuli, such as cold or heat.
What is a toothache?
Toothache is continuous pain in the area of the teeth. It is usually such severe pain that the sufferer voluntarily seeks treatment. Toothache is understood to be continuous pain in the area of the teeth. It is usually such severe pain that the affected person voluntarily goes to treatment. Different types of toothache are distinguished: they can originate directly from the teeth, but can also be affected the periodontium with the gums that surround the teeth.
Causes
The causes of toothache can be many and varied. Although the teeth are covered by protective enamel, 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 has them running through it – this is shown, for example, by the fact that teeth can be sensitive 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 caries. In this process, the enamel of the teeth is attacked and toothache occurs when the teeth are used. Especially when sweet foods are consumed, the pain is noticeable – but otherwise caries can go unnoticed. Pulpitis is also one of the common causes of toothache. It is an inflammation of the pulp of the tooth, which can be caused, for example, by caries. The toothache occurs spontaneously; in the beginning 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 knocking pain; biting also causes severe pain. Occasionally, the affected tooth can no longer even be touched with the tongue without pain.
Diseases with this symptom
- Caries
- Sinusitis
- Migraine
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Pulpitis
- Barotrauma
- Angina pectoris
- Jaw cysts
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth fracture
- Shingles
- Otitis media
Complications
If a toothache is not treated, it usually will not go away on its own. The pain in the tooth indicates an irritation that occurs either on the nerve or the gum. If this is not treated, inflammation often occurs in the gums or in the tooth root itself. With such inflammation, the entire root of the tooth usually needs to be removed for the toothache to go away. Likewise, if the tooth is not treated, oral hygiene may deteriorate. Toothache is often associated with an unpleasant and foul odor from the oral cavity, which can be very repulsive to other people. Toothache should therefore always be treated quickly so as not to trigger further inflammation. When treating a toothache, the patient is often given an injection to reduce the pain that occurs during the treatment. After the injection loses its effect, there is usually relatively severe pain in the tooth that was treated. This is because the nerve is exposed to many stimuli during the treatment and the patient still feels them after the treatment. Often, the gums around the tooth also hurt, as well as the cheek where the syringe was placed. However, after a few days, this pain should disappear.
When should you go to the doctor?
As a rule, you should always see a doctor when you have a toothache. In most cases, the toothache does not disappear on its own and can lead to severe inflammation or secondary damage. Treatment by means of self-help is not possible and also not recommended.A dentist should be consulted when the toothache makes it impossible for the patient to eat food and drink liquids in an ordinary way. Often the teeth are sensitive to pain. Furthermore, in addition to the toothache, there may also be a foul odor from the oral cavity, which in most cases is an inflammation. Here, too, a doctor should be consulted. If the pain in the teeth is not permanent and only occurs when chewing, a visit to the doctor is also recommended, as this pain usually continues to increase. Even after an accident, a dentist or the hospital should be visited directly in case of tooth pain.
Treatment and therapy
Toothache is treated differently depending on the cause. To determine the correct method, a detailed examination of the toothache is first required to identify the stage of decay. In the case of caries, a filling is required. To do this, all parts of the affected enamel are first removed so that no bacteria remain. The resulting hole is then filled. The toothache then disappears. If the pulp is destroyed or already dead, a root canal treatment must be performed. This involves removing the inflamed material, including all germs, to prevent further toothache. The root canal is then cleaned, filled as needed, and then artificially closed again. Toothache caused by periodontitis is eliminated by thoroughly removing pathogens from the affected areas of the periodontium. This is done in several steps of cleaning. Depending on the need, antibiotics are used at the same time.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, toothache does not disappear on its own and therefore must be examined and treated by a doctor. As a rule, toothache can be relatively well treated again, so that there is no further discomfort in the patient. In many cases, the treatment is performed under anesthesia, so that the patient does not feel any pain during the treatment itself. An inflamed tooth root often leads to the toothache. In this case, the tooth can be completely removed so that the pain disappears. In this case, strong anesthesia is also applied to the affected area. If the toothache is 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 by toothache can no longer eat food or drink liquids, 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 causes discomfort there as well. However, most toothaches can be treated relatively easily.
Prevention
The key to living without a toothache is taking regular care of your teeth. By brushing your teeth regularly, you significantly reduce the number of dangerous bacteria in your mouth and ensure that your teeth stay healthy. Damage that has already occurred, such as caries, can even be reversed through careful care, so that toothache does not occur at all. Avoiding certain foods can also help prevent toothache at an early stage. In particular, sugary foods should only be eaten in moderation. This includes, among other things, carbohydrates.
What you can do yourself
When you have a toothache, particularly careful oral hygiene is important. This includes, among other things, brushing your teeth thoroughly two to three times and cleaning the spaces between your teeth with dental floss and/or interdental brushes. If the pain is due to exposed tooth necks and not inflammation, it may be helpful to apply fluoride toothpaste to the painful area to protect it. Moist-cold compresses on the painful side can be very soothing. 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 rinsed in the mouth also usually has an analgesic and soothing effect. In addition, iodine can also relieve toothache. In this case, a drop of iodine is applied. It is important to let it soak in, but not to swallow.If you have a toothache, cold or hot things should not come into direct contact with your teeth. People with toothache should pay particular attention to a healthy lifestyle. Smoking should be avoided, as nicotine reduces the blood supply to the oral mucosa and gums, which can trigger pain. A healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and whole grain products is also recommended. Physical exercise, stress reduction and relaxation exercises strengthen the immune system and thus also promote dental health.