Toothaches: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Toothaches can cause problems for anyone, whether that be a child or an adult. Be it the dull types of ache with a relentless throb or the sharp stabbing types of pain, toothaches can make daily living a chore and uncomfortable. Knowing why one has toothaches, how to stop them, and how to prevent them could go a long way in maintaining your healthy smile and avoiding unnecessary pains.

What Causes Toothaches?

There can be several different problems with the teeth and gums that may cause toothaches. Some of the common causes of toothache include the following:

1. Decay of the Tooth
   • Description: Tooth decay is also called cavity, a breakdown of tooth enamel caused by acids made by bacteria in your mouth.
   • Symptoms: Pain may be mild to intense, mainly when you consume sweet or hot foods, other than noticing some cavities or dark spots on your teeth.
   • Why It Hurts: These bacteria create acids that cause damage to the enamel and the layer of dentin beneath. If further decay occurs, it may reach the nerve of the tooth, causing sharp pain.
2. Gum Disease
   • Description: Gingivitis is a bacterial infection of the gums, caused by plaque. If this condition remains untreated, it progresses and develops into periodontitis, which may affect the supportive structures of your teeth.
   • Symptoms: Red and swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, especially when you are brushing or flossing. Bad breath and pulling away of gums from teeth are common.
   • Why It Hurts: Pain involving your teeth may be related to inflammation or infection of your gums. If your gums recede, the roots of your teeth become exposed, causing sensitivity.
3. Tooth Sensitivity
   • Description: If the protective enamel wears away or your gums recede, exposing the dentin—the layer beneath the enamel—your teeth may become sensitive.
   • Symptoms: Whistling pain or sensitivity from hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks may also hurt with brushing.
   • Why It Hurts: Exposed dentin allows stimuli to reach the nerves inside your tooth, which may cause sensitivity.
4. Cracked Teeth
   • Description: A cracked tooth could be the result of an injury, grinding and clenching your teeth, or biting something too hard. In most instances, you may not notice the crack.
   • Symptoms: Symptoms are pain while chewing or biting; however, this pain isn’t continuous. There might be swelling around the tooth involved.
   • Why It Hurts: Cracks can expose the internal aspects of the tooth, such as the nerves. This creates pressure that may cause the pain whenever there is pressure exerted on the tooth.
5. Infection
   • Description: In most instances, dental infection results from untreated cavities and gingiva diseases. These may develop an abscess, which is a gathering of pus.
   • Symptoms: Sharp pain, swelling, fever, and a foul taste in one’s mouth. The area around the tooth may be red and swollen.
   • Why It Hurts: Infections cause inflammation and build pressure around the root of the tooth, which hurts eminently.
6. Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
   • Description: Bruxism mainly involves grinding or clenching one’s teeth, especially during sleep.
   • Symptoms: Pain in the jaw, headaches, and sore or sensitive teeth.
   • Why It Hurts: Grinding puts a great amount of force on your teeth, resulting in wear and possible damage.
7. Dental Work
   • Description: Pain after dental procedures is very common. It can occur after filling or crown placements.
   • Symptoms: Mild to moderate pain surrounding the area in which the procedure took place.
   • Why It Hurts: The area may be sensitive as it heals, but the pain typically subsides in a few days.

How to Treat Toothaches

Treating a toothache involves treating the pain and addressing the cause. Here’s how you do it in the following ways:

1. Swish with Warm Salt Water
   • Instructions: Mix one teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water, swish it in the mouth several times daily.
   • Benefits: Saltwater reduces swelling and cleans an affected area while it can temporarily numb the pain of your aching tooth.
2. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
   • Over-the-counter medications: Take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil), or acetaminophen (Tylenol), according to the bottle for dosage.
   • Helpful: These medications will help with pain and inflammation.
3. Cold Compress
   • Instructions: Put a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the outside of the cheek for 15 to 20 minutes.
   • Helpful: A cold compress can help anesthetize the area and reduce swelling.
4. Avoid Certain Foods
   • Instructions: Avoid extremely hot, cold, or sweet foods which will aggravate the pain.
   • Advantages: This may prevent further distress.
5. Clean the Area
   • Instructions: Brush and floss the teeth gently to remove food particles and plaque.
   • Advantages: This prevents further irritation or infection.
6. Apply Clove Oil
   • Instructions: Dip the tip of the cotton swab with the minimal amount of clove oil and set the oiled portion on the sore spot.
   • Advantages: Clove oil has natural numbing properties that can bring in temporary pain relief.

The Best Ways to Prevent Toothaches

Prevention of toothaches is all about good oral hygiene and safeguarding your teeth. Here’s how you can keep your teeth in the best of health:

1. Brush and Floss Regularly
   • How to do it: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily.
   • Advantages: This will keep the teeth free of plaque and food particles and prevent decay of teeth or dental caries and gum diseases.
2. Visits to Dentist
   • Instructions: Dental appointment to be scheduled every six months.
   • Benefits: Early detection of dental problems and cleaning of your teeth.
3. Proper Diet
   • Instructions: Healthy diet consists of fruits, vegetables, and milk. Snacking and liquids with too much sugar to be avoided.
   • Advantages: Good and healthy teeth and gums are also facilitated by good food, and the decaying possibilities go low.
4. Fluoride
   • Instructions: Fluoride toothpaste to be used. Approach your dentist if fluoride rinse is recommended for you.
   • Benefits: Fluoride strengthens the enamel, thus making the teeth not develop cavities.
5. Do Not Grind Your Teeth
   • Directions: If you grind your teeth, wear a mouthguard.
   • Benefits: A mouthguard will keep you safe from grind-based damages and pain.
6. Protect Your Teeth During Sports
   • Directions: If you take part in a contact sport then wear a mouthguard.
   • Benefits: A mouthguard will protect your teeth from any form of injury.
7. Address Dental Issues Early
   • Instructions: Consult your dentist immediately if you develop problems such as sensitivity or discomfort.
   • Benefits: This mostly side-lines the risk of minor issues turning into major ones.
8. Follow Through with Recommended Treatments
   • Instructions: Complete dental treatments or procedures recommended by your dentist.
   • Benefits: This will enable your teeth to remain healthy and complications avoided.

Conclusion

Toothaches are uncomfortable and can interfere with daily life, but understanding their causes, knowing how to manage them, and taking preventive measures can make a big difference. Regular check-ups with a dentist, like Dr. Amul Patel at Aurora Smiles in a dentist in Mt. Vernon, NY, can help maintain oral health and prevent toothaches. By practicing good oral hygiene and addressing problems early, you can keep your smile healthy and pain-free.

If you or your child is experiencing a toothache or needs a routine check-up, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Amul Patel at Aurora Smiles. With the right care and attention, you can ensure a bright, healthy smile for years to come.