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Toothache: Common Causes and Treatment
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Have you been facing pain or discomfort around your teeth or gums? Chances are that you have a toothache. These occur for several reasons. A minor toothache causes discomfort and pain while chewing and talking, while a major toothache can cause infection, sepsis, fever, headaches, ear pain and swelling among other symptoms! Read on to understand more about toothache, its common causes, symptoms and how to treat it.
What Are the Common Causes of Toothache?
There are many reasons why a toothache occurs. They are:
Biting into something hard
Food particles stuck between teeth gaps
Tooth decay
Infected gums
Abscessed tooth
Grinding teeth or chewing gum
Damaged fillings
Removal of wisdom tooth
Eruption i.e. when the tooth comes out of the gums
How to Prevent A Toothache?
Most toothaches can be avoided if you practise good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day for 2 minutes, flossing and using a mouthwash to kill the bacteria in your mouth are great ways of keeping your teeth safe from dental decay, tooth extraction and other issues.
Additionally, visiting your dentist twice a year is a good practice to keep your dental health in check and make necessary changes as and when a problem is detected.
Home Remedies for Relief from Toothache
Are you facing a minor pain in your teeth and need instant relief from toothache? Try these emergency toothache relief tips at home to relieve your pain:
Do a quick salt water gargle. Salt contains anti-inflammatory properties that can kill bacteria that can cause an infection and give instant relief from toothache.
Use a cool compress to constrict the nerve endings near the affected area. This is one of the best pain relief for toothache remedies and will fight off swelling.
Apply clove oil or thyme essential oil. These oils also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They can kill bacteria and reduce pain too. Use a cotton swab and add a few drops of one of these oils and gently apply it to the affected area for toothache pain relief.
Use warm peppermint tea bags on the affected area. Peppermint is known to contain Menthol, a numbing ingredient that can lower pain. For toothache pain relief, you can also freeze used peppermint tea bags and place them on the affected area.
Chew a garlic clove. Garlic is also a natural anti-bacterial agent that can relieve pain and kill bacteria. Chew a fresh garlic clove or apply a paste of garlic and salt to the affected area for toothache relief.
When to Visit the Dentist for toothache treatment?
While minor toothaches can be addressed with emergency toothache relief home remedies, toothaches need to be taken seriously. If kept unaddressed, toothaches could progress into something worse and cause pus and infection. Here are some alarming signs of severe toothaches to look out for which indicate that you must visit a dental clinic:
In case of swelling
If you face headaches and ear pain
In case of a fever
If you notice pus or discharge
If there is constant ill-odour
And if your toothache lasts more than 2 days
When such kind of symptoms occur, make sure to make a mental note of them and inform your dentist about them. Only when the cause of the toothache is found can such severe toothaches be treated correctly.
How do Dentists Treat a Toothache?
When you visit a dentist, you may be asked about the level of pain, when it began and what your symptoms are. Accordingly, your dentist will check your mouth, teeth, gums, tongue and more to find the cause and make a plan for your toothache treatment.
If your toothache is found to be caused by a cavity, the cavity will be filled.
If the severe toothache is caused by an infection of a tooth’s nerve, a root canal will be performed.
If a stuck food particle causes your infection, deep cleaning will be performed and antibiotics will be prescribed for any visible swelling.
The best way to prevent severe toothaches is to keep your oral hygiene top-notch. makeO toothsi is a leading oral care brand that produces high-quality oral care and hygiene products such as electric toothbrushes, teeth-whitening kits, clear aligners, aligner essentials and more for complete and thorough oral hygiene. Explore makeO toothsi’s oral care products to develop the perfect oral hygiene routine today!
Toothache: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cause of a toothache? If the innermoat layer of your tooth is inflamed, then you will get a toothache. The innermost layer of your tooth is called dental pulp. It can get inflames due to various reasons such as tooth decay which can leat to toothache and cavities.
How long will a toothache last?
If your toothache is due to hard biting or brushing then it may subside in a few hours. However, if it bugs you regularly then it is time you visited your dentist to diagnose the underlying issue of your pain.
How do I know if my toothache is serious?
A toothache becomes serious if:
It lasts for more than two days
Pain is on a higher intensity
You have a fever or earache
You feel pain when you open your mouth
Why is a toothache more painful at night?
Toothache can be intense at night because of our sleeping position. When we sleep or lie down the blood flow to our head and face increases thus putting a bit of pressure on the sensitive areas.
Is salt water gargle a toothache relief method?
Salt water gargles helps reduce the swelling in your gums thus relieving a bit of your toothache. Salt water gargles help reduce your toothache if it is causes by swollen gums, gingivitis or cavities.
