Toothache
Tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches in both children and adults. Toothache, also known as dental pain, is pain in the teeth and/or their supporting structures, caused by dental diseases or pain referred to the teeth by non-dental diseases. This occurs as a result of Bacteria that live in your mouth which thrive on the sugars and starches in the food you eat. These bacteria form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of your teeth. Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of your teeth (enamel), creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation of pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot.
Symptoms of Toothache
Pain in your tooth and mouth is the primary symptom of a toothache, but the type of pain can vary and present itself in multiple ways:
- Sharp, throbbing, or constant pain
- Tooth pain that only occurs when pressure is applied
- Swelling, painful gums
- Bad taste in the mouth (from an infection in a tooth)
- Fever or headache
- Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth
- Hot or cold sensitivity
- Bleeding or discharge from around a tooth or gums
Causes of Toothache
Generally, tooth pain is a result of inflammation of the soft, center part of the tooth. This pain can have several different causes:
- Cavities (tooth decay)
- A split in the tooth that occurs over time
- Infection at the root of the tooth or in the gum
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Tooth eruption through the gums (teething)
- Damaged fillings
- Trauma to the tooth, including injury or grinding your teeth
- Repetitive motions (chewing or grinding)
- Infected gums
- Sudden fracture of the tooth or tooth root
- Sinus infection that can be felt as pain in the teeth
What Triggers Toothache
Some behaviors or foods can start your toothache, or even make it worse. They are known as “triggers” and include:
- Cold drinks or food
- Sweet foods
- Biting down on anything
- Putting other pressure on the tooth
Taking Care of your Teeth
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Use dental floss to remove any food particles or plaque wedged between your teeth.
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to dull the ache, but don’t place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums because it may burn your gum tissue.
- Sparingly apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum for temporary relief.
- Apply oil of cloves (eugenol) on a small piece of cotton directly to the sore tooth and gum to numb the area.
- If the toothache is caused by trauma to the tooth, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.
Daily Care of the Teeth
It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy, and keep it that way. A simple routine can help prevent most dental problems:
- brushing your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste
- cleaning between the teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss at least once a day
- flossing
- good eating habits – having sugary foods and drinks less often, and
- regular dental check-ups.
Tips for Brushing your Teeth
- Place a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on the head of the tooth brush. (Use a soft toothbrush.)
- Place the toothbrush against the teeth at a 45-degree angle up to the gum line.
- Move the brush across the teeth using a small circular motion. Continue with this motion cleaning one tooth at a time. Keep the tips of the bristles against the gum line. Avoid pressing so hard that the bristles lie flat against the teeth. (Only the tips of the toothbrush clean the teeth.) Let the bristles reach into spaces between teeth.
- Brush across the top of the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Make sure the bristles get into the grooves and crevices.
- Use the same small circular motion to clean the backside of the upper and lower teeth — the side that faces the tongue.
- To clean the inside of the bottom front teeth, angle the head in an up-and-down position toward the bottom inside of the mouth and move the toothbrush in a small circle.
- For the inside of the top front teeth, angle the brush in an up-and-down position with the tip of the head pointing towards the roof of the mouth. Move the toothbrush in a small circle.
- Give your tongue a few gentle brush strokes, brushing from the back of your tongue forward. Do not scrub. This helps remove bacteria and freshens your breath.
- After brushing your teeth for two to three minutes, rinse your mouth with water.
- Replace your toothbrush with a new one every three to four months
