Toothache: Causes of Dental Pain and Care Guidelines

Dental pain or a toothache can occur in the teeth and other oral structures supporting them. This type of problem is normally caused by dental diseases and disorders, although the pain can sometimes be referred to oral structures by other non-dental conditions. The pain experienced from a toothache can be mild or severe, and the treatment will depend on the causes. The ache can be spontaneous or constant and it will be often accelerated by extreme temperature or pressure. It is important to understand this type of dental pain in order to ensure that the right treatment is administered. Here is a description of the main causes of toothaches and simple care guidelines.  

Causes of Tooth Pain

The most apparent source of dental pain is tooth decay. This is the breakdown of the dental structure due to the activities of bacteria. The cavities are caused and accelerated by poor oral hygiene, high dietary sugar and even exposure to acids. Inflammation of the dental pulp or the supporting ligaments due to infections can also contribute to dental pain. Mechanical trauma such as sudden fractures and splits due to falls will often lead to toothaches, especially if emergency dental care is not provided. Other common causes include gingivitis, periodontitis and gingivitis.

Self-Care Guidelines

Self-care is essential when you notice dental pain, particularly if you cannot see a doctor immediately. This will help in alleviating the pain and controlling the cause of the problem. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean out debris in the mouth. If there is any food material or plague between your teeth, use floss to gently clean out the gaps. For significant pain, you should consider taking over-the-counter painkilling medicine. However, it is not wise to put the OTC on your aching tooth because the pharmaceutical can 'burn' the delicate oral tissues. On the other hand, you can apply some OTC antiseptic with a mild anaesthetic benzocaine on the irritated area for temporary relief. You should note that this anaesthetic is associated with a rare blood disorder as a side effect.  

Seeing a Dentist

You should consult with a dentist (such as one from Runcorn Dental) if the pain persists or escalates. If you experience trouble breathing and even swallowing when a toothache occurs, it is prudent to visit an emergency dentist for treatment. These symptoms can lead to serious systemic issues such as suffocation. In addition, watch out for symptoms of infections such as high fever, pus discharge from the affected tooth, localised swelling and even redness and tenderness of the gum tissues.


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