Toothache, very often caused by cavities, can have many origins: affections of the gum, jaw, but also of the sinuses or even the ears. Visiting a dentist will help find the cause of the pain and treat it.
Description: toothache
Toothache refers to pain felt in and around the mouth, caused by elements of the oral cavity itself or by more distant factors (such as the sinuses or the ears).
The toothache can be fleeting and mild or turn into a real toothache in which the pain is almost unbearable.
If the pain is too intense, lasts (more than two days) or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, pain in the ears or when opening the mouth, then he is strongly advised to consult a dentist.
Causes
Dental cavities are the most common causes of toothache. It is an infectious disease that can affect enamel, dentin and / or dental pulp. Almost 100% of adults have cavities, according to the World Health Organization!
The tooth first becomes sensitive to hot and cold before the pain really sets in. The cause is poor oral hygiene, but there are also hereditary factors.
Cavities aren’t the only conditions that cause toothache. These include:
- bacterial infection;
- the presence of an abscess;
- oral trauma, for example a fall resulting in a crack or a fracture of the tooth or a blow to the jaw;
- gum disease, such as gingivitis (which means inflammation of the gums);
- bruxism, which is the teeth grinding (or clenching) that often occurs at night;
- wisdom teeth growth or tooth eruption in babies and children;
- sinusitis can cause pain in the molars;
- an affection of the ears, neck;
- or a heart attack (which causes pain in the teeth and jaws).
Note that too deep decay or trauma to the tooth can cause damage to the nerve of the tooth. In these cases, the dentist may have a pulpectomy, that is, devitalization of the tooth. The goal is to make the tooth insensitive.
Evolution and possible complications
If not taken care of in time, the toothache is very likely to increase. The danger, therefore, is to suffer more and for longer!
Associated with this increasing pain, the conditions which are at the origin of it can also worsen: an untreated decay can be complicated in an abscess, a damaged gum can lead to loosening or even loss of teeth, etc.
Treatment and prevention: what solutions?
An oral exam, done by a dentist, is the best way to find out the source of the problem. The professional will be able to make a diagnosis and offer an appropriate treatment. For example, he will seek to know when the pain appeared, its location, its level, or even the symptoms that may be associated with it.
- Note that the use of analgesics can help relieve pain before the medical appointment.
- To try to prevent the onset of toothache, it is crucial to have good dental hygiene:
- take care of your brushing and brush your teeth after each meal, for 3 minutes;
- regular mouthwashes
- change your toothbrush regularly;
- favor toothpastes containing fluoride;
- go to the dentist regularly;
- or eat balanced and limit foods that are too sweet.
