How much do you know about toothaches?

How much do you know about toothaches?

Many people will experience the pain of a toothache at some point in their life. It can be considered the worst of all possible pains, till the point of being unbearable.

           In fact, toothaches have been measured to be third in intensity behind the pains of childbirth and some terminal cancers!

A tooth ache can be a frustrating, distracting, and downright distressing experience. At its worst, it can keep you from eating, talking, and sleeping properly, but even mild tooth pain can leave you feeling anxious and stressed.

The good news is that most causes of tooth pain are very easily preventable & treatable! 

Let’s talk about the most common sources of tooth ache, what you can do about it, 

Toothache Causes

1. Hole in the tooth: The most common cause of a toothache is teeth cavities. In most instances, the hole starts on the chewing surface of the tooth or in-between teeth.the hole will become larger and reach the nerve chamber or pulp.

The irritation of the nerve will cause a severe toothache. The pain may vary from sharp to throbbing pain. It can last a long time, and you may need to take medication to reduce the toothache.

2. Acidic food and drinks:  Sports drinks, energy drinks, fizzy drinks, concentrated fruit juice and some foods have a high concentration of acid.

The acid will dissolve the teeth surfaces. Eventually, the nerve will become exposed and will cause a lot of pain.

3. Gum Disease: Gum disease will destroy the gum and the bone underneath the gum. The teeth will become loose, and you will have an aching tooth, especially when chewing food. Eventually, the bacteria will travel to the roots and infect the teeth. The infection will cause pain and agony.

4. Dental abscess: Teeth infection from the holes will move to the roots and spread to the surrounding bone and tissue area. The pressure from the abscess and bacterial toxin will make the teeth and surrounding area sore.]

 Sometimes the tooth pain will only last for a few days and then disappear. This leads people to think that the tooth has recovered from the infection, but this is not true. It is because the nerve or pulp in the tooth has died and therefore you will not feel any pain.

Later the bacteria in the nerve chamber will multiply and produce a massive amount of infection, which will spread to the surrounding tissues and cause continuous agony. Later it will turn into an abscess and can cause swelling in the face, jaw, cheek and lips

5. Wisdom teeth: When a wisdom tooth erupts, in most cases, there won’t be enough space in that area for the wisdom tooth to come through. The tooth will become impacted, and food will get trapped in that area.

Cleaning this area is difficult and can lead to cavities and very painful gum infection. Sometimes the germs will spread to the surrounding tissue area. It makes the mouth, difficult to open and causes a lot of discomforts.

6. Tooth fracture: Grinding & clenching the teeth will cause the teeth to wear out. It can cause the tooth to chip and break. The pulp will get exposed, infected and cause tenderness.

7. Crowded teeth: Crowded teeth areas are difficult to clean, particularly in between teeth. Food will get caught in between the teeth and cause cavities or caries, which can lead to gum infection and agony. Braces will remove the crowding.

   

How to prevent a toothache

• Regular brushing- Brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

• Flossing- Brushing will only clean the chewing surface and sides of the teeth. It won’t clean in between the teeth very well. Flossing is the best option to clean in between teeth. Floss at least once a day.

• Use fluoride toothpaste- Flouride makes the surface of the teeth hard. Please read our fluoride page for more information.

• Reduce acidic food and drinks- Minimising your acid drinks intake will also reduce the chances of getting holes.

• Reduce your sugar intake- Sugar is the leading cause for cavities. Limit the intake of sugary drinks and food.
• Visit your dentist regularly-  If the dentist finds the hole at an early stage, they can place dental fillings and prevent teeth pain. They will also remove the tartar and prevent gum disease. Taking dental xrays when you go for your check up and dental cleanings will reveal any hidden cavities, which you or your dentist can’t see.

Remember:

Get your teeth and mouth checked every six months.  Regular Dental checkups of your teeth and mouth can minimise extensive dental treatments such as surgical extractions, root canal fillings, teeth implants and dental bridge.

It is essential to see your dentist when you feel a slight discomfort in your mouth. Don’t wait for the pain to become worse. If you see the dentist in time, they may be able to take care of the problem at an early stage. If you leave it, the problem will become worse and can also cause you a lot of pain, agony and inconvenience.

Keep in mind; oral health is an essential factor for your healthy life and beautiful smile & appearance

We hope the tips mentioned above will help you to prevent a sore tooth. Carrying out these simple tips will assist you to avoid sore teeth in the future.

If you have any questions, please contact  Thanjai dental centre. We will be always happy to answer any of your questions.