Have a Toothache? Know All The Possible Causes And Remedies

Pain in or around the teeth and jaws is termed toothache which is an indicative sign that there's some problem in teeth or surrounding tissue structures.

A toothache may be caused by any number of reasons from dental decay to food stuck between the teeth or any dental infection. [Pixabay]

A toothache may be caused by any number of reasons from dental decay to food stuck between the teeth or any dental infection. Sometimes the toothache may arise due to temporary irritation in the gums and surrounding structures. But serious tooth pain requires professional assistance by dental health professionals.

What is a Toothache?

Pain in or around the teeth and jaws is termed toothache which is an indicative sign that there's some problem in teeth or surrounding tissue structures. Toothaches should never be ignored because though mostly, toothaches are not life-threatening but in some cases, it might be a sign of a serious condition that might require immediate medical intervention.

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Types Of Toothache

Most of the time, people are unaware as to why they are experiencing the pain or from where the pain is arising. Getting to know about the type of pain helps get a clear understanding of the possible causes of toothache.

Dull and persistent: This is one of the most common types of tooth pain encountered. It may not be severe in nature but can be quite irksome and irritating in nature. One may experience a continuous feeling of unpleasantness without being able to deduce the origin of the pain.

The possible causes of this type of pain might be -

- Food lodgment between the teeth
- Some particles stuck in the gums
- teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- abscessed teeth
- impacted 3rd molar (wisdom tooth)

Pain due to impacted 3rd molar also known as wisdom teeth.[Wikimedia Commons]

Sensitivity to hot and cold: The tooth sensitivity to hot and cold is usually triggered when the outer protective layer of teeth known as the enamel wears down. Loss of enamel may expose the inner layer dentin which is sensitive in nature and thus, it causes heat and cold to stimulate the nerves present in the teeth.

Common causes which might cause sensitivity to hot and cold are-
- dental decay
- gum disease
- cracked or fractured teeth
- tooth recession
- worn or dislodged filling
- dental infection
- excessive consumption of acidic food and beverages
- teeth erosion due to forceful brushing
- poor oral health and hygiene

Most of the time, people are unaware as to why they are experiencing the pain or from where the pain is arising. Getting to know about the type of pain helps get a clear understanding of the possible causes of toothache. [Pixabay]

Sharp and throbbing pain: This type of pain indicates that the infection has set in and would most probably require dental treatment. This pain is often quite excruciating and severe in nature and might cause disruption in the daily activities of an individual.

The common causes for this type of pain are-
- dental caries and cavity
- dental infections
- tooth abscess
- fractured or cracked tooth
- loose crown
- damaged filling or restoration which may be
- cracked
- chipped away
- worn out
- crumbled
- gingivitis or periodontitis

A tooth abscess is one of many reasons that cause toothache. [Wikimedia Commons]

Severe debilitating toothache: A throbbing toothache left untreated might quickly turn into a severe debilitating pain that could make the person sick, and dizzy and makes it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything else other than the severe toothache one is experiencing. It could be due to a number of reasons like trauma to the teeth due to an accident which causes the shattering of the tooth and expose the sensitive inner layer of pulp and nerve bundles.

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One should visit a dentist if the pain lasts more than 2 days and is not relieved even on taking painkillers. In the meanwhile, one can try rinsing with warm saltwater or they can use some pain relieving gel or painkiller like Ibuprofen or paracetamol. One should take great care to avoid hard food or food which might be too hot or too cold as it can irritate and cause sensitivity to the sore tooth. Eating soft food like yogurt, pudding, or soup and avoiding putting pressure on the sore teeth might help provide temporary relief from the pain. It is imperative that people visit dentist every six months or at least yearly for the regular dental health checkup and oral prophylaxis.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Chak, (MDS), Retired Professor & Head Of Dept. of Preventive & Pediatric Dentistry, King George's Medical University

Tooth pain may be dull, sharp, throbbing, or severe in nature, or swelling and redness in the teeth and areas surrounding teeth. [Pixabay]

Symptoms Of Toothache-

Tooth pain which may be dull, sharp, throbbing, or severe in nature
Sometimes the pain is felt only when pressure is applied to the tooth during biting or chewing
swelling around the tooth, in the gums, and adjacent tissue structures
bad odor from tooth
release of foul-smelling discharge from the infected tooth
fever, headache, or earache

Management Of Toothache At Home-

1) Warm saltwater rinse: Saltwater acts as a disinfectant and helps to reduce inflammation by loosening the debris between teeth. Rinsing the mouth by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water helps provide relief from the toothache.

2) Hydrogen peroxide rinse: 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide helps reduce the pain and inflammation in and around the tooth. The mouth should be rinsed by diluting the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water and one should not swallow the rinse.

A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide helps reduce the pain and inflammation in and around tooth. The mouth should be rinsed by diluting the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water and one should not swallow the rinse. [Wikimedia Commons]

3) Clove Oil: Clove oil is a natural antiseptic that helps alleviate pain and reduces inflammation. Adding a drop of clove oil to a glass of water and rinsing thoroughly with the solution helps provide relief from the toothache.

Clove oil is a natural antiseptic that helps alleviate pain and reduces inflammation. Adding a drop of clove oil to a glass of water and rinsing thoroughly with the solution helps provide relief from the toothache. [Wikimedia Commons]

4) Vanilla Extract: The alcohol in the vanilla extract provides temporary relief from the pain and the antioxidants present in it helps to heal the area. The extract can be applied to the tooth and surrounding areas using either fingertips or a cotton ball.

5) Cold Compress: For pain and swelling, holding a cold compress to the painful area helps provide relief from the symptoms and can repeat the process every few minutes.

6) Over-the-counter pain medications: Over-the-counter pain medications like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.

If toothache continues to progress then the home remedies might not be enough and one needs to visit their nearest dental clinic and get the tooth evaluated by the dentist. At the dental clinic, the team will do a thorough physical examination that would involve extraoral as well as intraoral checkups. [Unsplash]

Visiting The Dentist For Toothache-

If toothache continues to progress then the home remedies might not be enough and one needs to visit their nearest dental clinic and get the tooth evaluated by a dentist. At the dental clinic, the team will do a thorough physical examination that would involve extraoral as well as intraoral checkups.

Depending upon the cause of toothache, the dentist would proceed with the preferred modalities like-