Toothaches have varied causes and result in great discomfort for the patient. It affects all ages, regardless of sex, although there is a tendency for low-income populations to have toothaches due to cavities.
Among the causes of toothache, cavities, problems with the pulp of the tooth and gums, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, enamel wear, abscesses, etc.
Treatments include measures to relieve pain and the dentist can usually prescribe analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics or surgical measures, depending on the case.
Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents problems with cavities and inflammation, preventing many of the causes of toothaches.
Definition
Toothache is a problem that affects a large part of the population of different ages. By definition, it is any pain that reaches the teeth ranging in intensity from mild, moderate to severe.
Toothache can be in the tooth itself or in regions close to it, reaching the jaw and face.
Epidemiology
There are few studies and national and international data that bring the prevalence and incidence of toothache, however, it is known that it can affect anyone in any age group and of any sex, since toothaches are caused by several factors .
In Brazil, according to data from the Ministry of Health for 2002-2003, the prevalence of toothache in adolescents was 35.7%, in adults it was 34.8% and in the elderly, 22.2%. In the United States, the prevalence of toothache in adults ranged from 12% to 14.5%; among children and adolescents, this prevalence ranged from 8% to 14.1%, according to data from one study.
Causes
There are several causes related to toothache, the most common being the presence of cavities, which, in turn, is caused by poor oral hygiene. Other common causes include:
– Tooth abscess
– ear pain
– Injury to the jaw, mouth or gums
– Sensitivity to cold or hot food or drink
– Bruxism (teeth grinding)
– Damage to internal parts of the tooth (such as pulp)
– Infections like cavities, the first sign of a cavity is, notably, a pain that appears when eating something very sweet, hot or cold
– Pain in the neck, head, jaw, etc.
– Wear of the enamel, with exposure of the dentin (body of the tooth)
– Gum inflammation ( gingivitis )
– Other diseases such as herpes simplex , herpetic stomatitis gingivo, etc.
In addition to these causes, there are others that the dentist can evaluate and choose the best treatment.
Groups of risk
Some researchers noted that lower income, not visiting the dentist for a checkup, losing teeth, suffering from common mental disorders, and being male increased the chance of experiencing toothache.
The occurrence of toothache in people with lower income can be explained by the fact that individuals with high schooling and higher income seek preventive health services more frequently, have better nutrition, more preventive self-care in general and less oral diseases compared to those with low education and lower income.
Symptoms
Toothache usually comes on suddenly and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. These pains can radiate to the jaw, head and ear.
The pain is usually worse when eating or drinking. If the pain is caused by sensitivity, it is made worse by eating very hot or cold food or drink. Pain can also get worse when lying down, as it increases pressure on the tooth.
Typical symptoms of toothache include:
– Pain when chewing
– Pain when eating very hot or very cold food or drink
– Bleeding teeth and/or gums
– Swelling of the jaw
– Swelling around the teeth
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of toothache is made by the dentist who will analyze the patient’s clinical condition and verify the causes of pain. Several techniques can be used to help discover the cause of pain, such as visual analysis of the teeth and use of X-rays to check for cavities, bone fractures, etc.
Complications
In some cases, toothaches can hide complications that go beyond inflammation in the pulp, cavities, gum injuries, etc. Toothache in these cases is always the result of other complications, never the cause. These complications may be due to other diseases that the patient has, or even chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments. It is always important for the dentist to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s clinical condition.
Treatments
The treatment of toothache depends on each case and the causes of pain. Dentists usually recommend medications such as aspirin , paracetamol , ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs to relieve pain.
Depending on the case, the dentist may opt for other lines of treatment other than medication. If the toothache is caused by decay, it should be removed and replaced with a lead filling. If the pulp of the tooth is infected (in cases of pulpitis), a root canal must be performed, in which the dentist removes the pulp and fills the space with a paste and lead. If there is tooth infection, specific antibiotics should be used.
It is always important that toothaches are immediately treated, because, in addition to ensuring an improvement in the patient’s quality of life, it prevents possible infections from spreading through the paranasal sinuses and the maxillary bone, causing septicemia.
Herbal medicine
Many treatments with medicinal plants are aimed at reducing the intensity of pain. They include:
– Indian clove oil – it is important that the dentist is aware of its use and indicates the correct dose, as a higher dose can cause poisoning.
– Crushed garlic – applied to the aching tooth.
– Pitanga tea – normally ingested 3 times a day
– Mauve – applied to the aching tooth.
– Rue – used kneaded over with a little water and applied with a cotton pad next to the aching tooth.
– Peppermint – the juice of the plant can be applied with a cotton pad over the area that has pain.
It is always important that the doctor is aware before using any medicinal plant.
Tips
– Many toothaches are caused by sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Nowadays there are many toothpastes indicated to decrease sensitivity to temperature. Talk to your dental surgeon to find out which one is best suited for your case;
– Maintain good oral hygiene habits;
– Heat a cloth and place it on the side of the face that is hurting due to the tooth;
– Make cheeks with hot water and salt, if the pain is not due to sensitivity to hot food or drinks;
– Not relieving the pain with hot cloths, alternate with cold cloths;
– Apply analgesics on the tooth, according to the doctor’s indication.
– Use hot water to brush your teeth.
– Avoid drinks or foods that are too hot, cold or sweet, in order to prevent the onset of pain.
Prevention
– Many toothaches are caused by poor oral hygiene habits. It is important to maintain a clean and healthy mouth to avoid inflammation and infection.
– Brushing should be done every day after meals. Flossing is also important, as it removes food waste that stayed between the teeth and the brush cannot reach. Swapping brush every 3 months is also important, so that it maintains its cleaning capacity. The use of mouthwashes can also be indicated by the dentist to maintain tooth hygiene.
– It is important that you visit the dentist regularly so that he can check the condition and health of your mouth.
– Drink fluoridated water.
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