Toothache: symptoms, common causes and how to relieve it

When toothache comes, the causes must be addressed as soon as possible. Although the reality is that on rare occasions a toothache can go unnoticed, it also the intensity of the pain may increase until it becomes frankly unbearable.

This pain can appear mildly or intermittently. However, if not properly cared for, there will come a time when stronger over-the-counter pain relievers will be insufficient to ease the pain.

Why do teeth hurt?

The recommendation for a toothache is go to the dentist as soon as possible. The cause may not be serious and does not require further treatment, but a face-to-face review is always better to rule out other probable situations.

Toothache is a symptom of a tooth or gum problem. It is not fortuitous and always has a cause, so it should be checked. The types of pain are different and occur in different circumstances. Here we list its symptoms, causes and possible solutions.

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Common symptoms

Toothache comes in different ways.

Each of them can represent a different cause and therefore a different solution. Even to go to the dentist it is important to identify the symptom or type of pain that we suffer.

1. Pain when biting

The most common type of toothache is the one that happens only when you bite into something. It may be that throughout the day there is no pain, but it appears intensely when chewing.

2. Inflammation

When there is inflammation in the gums around the tooth, it is a sign that something is wrong. There is usually mild to moderate pain directly to the tooth.

3. Constant pain

Constant toothache is one of the most intense and annoying. It is common for it to start as a mild pain and then increase in intensity until it is unbearable.

4. Unpleasant taste

Along with the toothache, a slight but unpleasant taste may appear in the saliva. This certainly indicates that there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

5. Fever

Toothache can be accompanied by a low-grade fever or fever. This is usually because an infection has already started and our body responds with a fever.

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Causes

Toothache appears as an indication that there is a tooth or gum problem. This requires an examination to determine the cause and its possible treatment. It is better not to wait for the pain to increase and become unbearable.

1. Cavities

The most common cause of toothache is cavities. The pulp, which is inside the client, can be affected by decay. Severe pain is a manifestation of this, which can appear when biting, drinking something hot or cold, or without an apparent trigger.

2. Bruxism

Another cause of toothache is bruxism. Bruxism is a common disorder of persistent and involuntary clenching of the teeth.. Some people do it at night, when they are asleep, and they do it with such intensity that it causes pain and other oral problems.

3. Infection

If there is an infection in the gums, this can cause pain. As already mentioned, normally one of the symptoms of infection is that along with the pain, fever or low-grade fever also appears. This should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid major problems that require complex treatments that could be avoided if the infection is detected early.

4. Irregular bite

There are people who do not have a symmetrical bite, and this over the years causes pain. Even if it has never been felt before, this discomfort can appear suddenly, due to the dental wear that an irregular bite generates.

5. Tooth sensitivity

Toothache can be caused by the inner layer of the tooth, which has nerves, being exposed. This is a common condition, but you run the risk of mistaking tooth sensitivity for tooth decay, which should be taken care of immediately. Tooth sensitivity can be easily detected because it hurts when you drink something hot or cold.

6. Broken teeth

If the tooth has been cracked or broken, it will most likely cause pain. Teeth have multiple nerve endings, so when they break or break, there will surely be pain that can range from moderate to severe. If it has been broken, you should see the dentist immediately.

How to relieve

Faced with toothache, you have to act by attacking the cause that originates it. The pain won't go away on its own, although sometimes it comes and goes. However, there are some ways to mitigate it momentarily while we wait for the dental appointment.

1. Pain relievers or pain relievers

A mild pain reliever can ease a toothache. When pain is mild, a pain reliever may suffice to make it more bearable. However, this should be done with caution, as we could be covering a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.

We must observe if the pain is increasing, if it was accidental and does not reappear, or any other symptom in which we must pay attention to notify our dentist. But if you urgently need to relieve the pain a bit, a pain reliever is a good option.

2. Home remedies

There are some home remedies that can help relieve toothache. Cloves and black tea have pain relieving properties, so they can help soothe toothaches. They can be prepared in infusion and with a cotton moisten the tooth that causes pain.

Onion, garlic, and salt can help counteract oral infections. Although they are not pleasant in taste, the recommendation is to chew a clove of garlic or a piece of onion. The salt can be dissolved in a glass of water and gargled three times a day to curb the infection.

Prevention: what you should never do

When there is toothache, we must avoid some situations so as not to make the situation worse. In addition to going to the dentist immediately, you must pay attention to avoid situations that could worsen possible damage.

1. Don't bite hard things

In order not to worsen the toothache, try not to bite hard things. Avoid apples, nuts, meat or any food that may represent applying too much force or pressure to be crushed.

2. Do not eat things that are too hot or cold

When there is toothache, sudden changes in temperature intensify pain. Although the cause of toothache is not tooth sensitivity, you should avoid ingesting hot or cold beverages such as tea or ice cream.

3. Do not self-medicate

If there is a fever along with the toothache, it is likely an infection. However, this does not merit self-medication with antibiotics, as it could worsen the situation if it is not an infection. What's more, self-medicating with antibiotics is not recommended, since an incomplete treatment can generate bacteria resistant to the antibiotic, which are more difficult to eliminate.

A mild analgesic can be given without a prescription and it would be safer to self-medicate with it, but antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a medical professional and never stop treatment before the indicated time.

Bibliographic references

• Becker D. AND. (2010). Pain management: Part 1: Managing acute and postoperative dental pain. Anesthesia progress, 57 (2), 67–80.

• Langford, B. J., & Morris, A. M. (2017). Is it time to stop counseling patients to "finish the course of antibiotics"?. Canadian pharmacists journal.