Toothache Health Article

Definition

A toothache is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth, indicated by inflammation and infection.

Description

A toothache may feel like a sharp pain or a dull, throbbing ache. The tooth may be sensitive to pressure, heat, cold, or sweets. In cases of severe pain, identifying the problem tooth is often difficult. Any patient with a toothache should see a dentist at once for diagnosis and treatment. Most toothaches get worse if not treated.

Causes & symptoms

Toothaches may result from any of a number of causes:

• tooth decay (dental caries)
• inflammation of the tooth pulp (pulpitis)
• abscesses
• gum disease, including periodontitis
• loose or broken filling
• cracked or impacted tooth
• exposed tooth root
• food wedged between teeth or trapped below the gum line
• tooth nerve irritated by clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxism)
• pressure from congested sinuses
• traumatic injury

Diagnosis

Diagnosis includes identifying the location of the toothache, as well as the cause. The dentist begins by asking the patient specific questions including increased sensitivity or if the pain is worse at night. The patient's mouth is then examined for signs of swelling, redness, and obvious tooth damage. The presence of pus indicates

an abscess or gum disease. The sore area is flushed with warm water to dislodge any food particles and to test for sensitivity to temperature. The dentist may then dry the area with gauze to determine sensitivity to pressure. Finally, the dentist may take x rays, looking for evidence of decay between teeth, a cracked or impacted tooth, or a disorder of the underlying bone.

Emergency self-care

Toothaches should always be professionally treated by a dentist. Some methods of self-treatment, however, may help manage the pain until professional care is available:

• Rinsing with warm salt water.
• Using dental floss to remove any food particles.
• Taking aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. The drug should be swallowed—never placed directly on the aching tooth or gum.
• Applying a cold compress against the outside of the cheek. Do not use heat, because it will tend to spread infection.
• Using clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) to numb the gums. The oil may be rubbed directly on the sore area or used to soak a small piece of cotton and applied to the sore tooth.
• A washcloth soaked in chamomile tea and placed on the infected tooth or swished around in the mouth will help to ease the pain.

Toothaches caused by infection or tooth decay must be treated by a dentist. Several alternative therapies may be helpful for pain relief until dental treatment is available. The herb corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo) may also help relieve toothache pain. Pain also may be reduced using acupressure, acupuncture, or reiki. Acupuncture should be done only by a licensed practitioner.