Toothache: Causes, Treatments and Preventions
Toothache can be one of the most painful ailments that you can ever experience, and for many, the problem is worse due to fear of going to the dentist. Having regular check ups is one of the main ways to prevent toothache from occurring, as your dentists will be able to identify the problem before it gets worse.
For all you need to know about toothache and how it can be treated by your dentist, this blog will explain all.
Causes
Toothache can occur for a number of reasons, some of the most common include:
Sensitivity – tooth sensitivity is a common problem for many. Hot drinks and ice cream can cause pain within your teeth when tooth enamel wears away leaving deeper layers of the tooth exposed.
Abscess – a collection of pus that can form under your teeth or in your gums, abscesses are infections. These can be extremely painful, and unfortunately, they don’t go away on their own. Not treating an abscess can affect your general health and can even lead to Sepsis, a life threatening condition which requires urgent hospital attention.
Decay and cavities – tooth decay is caused by acid that is produced by plaque, and if left untreated can lead to more serious problems such as an abscess. Your teeth may start to feel more tender and painful when eating, painful to hot and cold temperature changes as well as starting to crumble and break.
Wisdom teeth – wisdom teeth start coming through between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes they are painful as they come through due to an infection in the gum over the erupting tooth. An increasing number of people have wisdom teeth that never fully come through and they can get these gum infections at any age.
Associated symptoms
You may also experience other symptoms when you have toothache including:
- Pain within the teeth or gums
- Headaches
- Fever
- Swelling
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth
Treatments
The right treatment for a toothache depends on the cause.
Sensitivity can be treated with sensitive toothpastes applied on the painful tooth, or in severe cases the dentist may place a small white filling to cover the worn area.
If the source of pain is due to a cavity, the tooth may need a simple filling or, if it is too bad, it may need to be extracted or have a root filling.
An abscess will need to be drained to relieve the pressure with possibly some antibiotics if the infection is spreading. Further treatment will be needed to stop the abscess coming back.
Wisdom teeth infections can be treated with antiseptics applied under the gum flap.
Prevention
Sometimes toothache comes on out of the blue, but, if you’re experiencing mild symptoms and choose to ignore them you can to end up with severe pain. The best ways to prevent toothache include:
- Having regular dental check-ups
- Limit your consumption of sugary food and drinks
- Brush your twice a day
- Use additional cleaning products including floss and mouthwash
- If pain lasts more than 2 days , even if it is mild,, visit your dentist before the problem progresses
Acorn Dental Practice, based in York, offers quality dental care including check-ups, treatments and cosmetic procedures. With a team of professional dental practitioners, we do all we can to put you at ease and provide a comfortable environment for your appointment. For more information about our practice get in touch today.