Toothache can have many causes. What is there and what treatment can help against the unpleasant discomfort, you will find out here.
Toothache is a nightmare for most people: The pain alone is already bad, but even the thought of a visit to the dentist often causes tachycardia. But how do the complaints actually arise? In most cases, toothache is actually a problem with the teeth , but various diseases such as inflammation can be the cause. Depending on the trigger is treated differently.
How do you develop toothache?
In addition to blood vessels, a tooth also contains sensitive nerve fibers. They penetrate from the jawbone from below into the tooth root and then lie in the so-called dental pulp. They are extremely irritable. The dental pulp is protected by a layer of dentin and enamel. However, this barrier is also sensitive: dental diseases such as tooth decay can damage them, so that the nerve fibers are open to any stimulus – which then causes toothache.
Common causes of pain in the tooth
The following underlying diseases can cause toothache:
- Dental problems: tooth decay, tooth root inflammation (“pulpitis”), periodontitis, fallen out fillings, crowns and temporaries, abscess, inflammation of the gums, tooth breakage or fracture, treatment with the dentist himself
- Generally pain sensitive teeth: Lightning pain, for example, cold ice cream or sweets. Often exposed cervicals are the trigger. But even worn chewing surfaces, teeth grinding or constantly too strong pressure when brushing teeth can cause a high sensitivity to pain.
- Other underlying diseases: z. As headaches or migraines, sinus infection , heart attack, shingles, ear pain. Middle ear infections, cysts
- Certain medications: eg. B. bisphosphonates
What helps against toothache?
For acute pain, analgesics such as ibuprofen can be taken. Do not use aspirin – it reduces blood clotting, making wounds bleed easier or longer. Toothache is treated according to the cause – usually at the dentist. The following treatments are possible:
- Caries: tooth decay is removed with the drill from the tooth. Then the resulting hole is closed with a filling.
- Tooth root or jaw bone problems and abscesses: A tooth root treatment is performed. The pain is usually less by opening the tooth, as it reduces the pressure in the tissue.
- Gingivitis: The periodontal pockets are cleaned. Sometimes the doctor prescribes an antibacterial mouthwash or antibiotics depending on the type of bacteria.
If the pain is not triggered by the teeth, other specialists must be consulted. Important: If the toothache is severe in the entire lower jaw and in addition symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath and pain in the chest, which radiate into the arm, the emergency doctor should be called immediately. It could be a heart attack!
Also help home remedies for toothache?
Often you have a toothache just when you can not even visit the dentist – at the weekend, for example, or in the middle of the night. If you do not want to resort directly to medication, you can first try to treat the toothache with home remedies. These are suitable:
- Clove: It should be bitten near the aching tooth. The substance contained in the clove stuns eugenol (by the way, clove oil has the same effect). However, this is only a very short-term solution: Eugenol can permanently kill the tooth nerve. It should therefore be consulted as soon as possible the doctor.
- Saltwater Rinse: A highly concentrated saltwater rinse with lukewarm water, rinsed for two minutes through the mouth, can relieve toothache.
- Sage tea: A mouth rinse with sage tea inhibits inflammation.
- Cold cloth or ice pack: A damp cloth can be placed on the cheek, an ice pack is wrapped in a towel before. This dampens blood flow to the inflamed area and relieves the toothache.
- Tea: A tea mixture of peppermint, St. John’s wort, lemon balm, valerian and quenelle also reduces the pain.
You can find even more toothache home remedies here.
Should I always go to the dentist with a toothache?
For toothaches of any kind, the dentist should always be consulted. Because dental problems are left untreated, they can also cause difficulties in other parts of the body. For example, bacteria can pass from the teeth via the bloodstream to the heart and trigger heart valve inflammation there. If the inflammations are chronic, vascular diseases can occur in the long run. And pregnant women have an increased risk of miscarriage due to bacteria with various gingivitis. Especially at
- persistent toothache or those that are getting worse,
- Swelling in the mouth or face,
- Toothache while chewing
- or frequently bleeding reddened gums
The doctor should always be consulted in a timely manner.