If you have experienced toothaches, you know how excruciating that pain can be. It might rob you of sleep and peace until the pain goes away. A toothache is a pain in and around your teeth and jaw, sometimes accompanied by a fever.
Toothaches typically manifest as a sharp on-and-off or constant pain lasting for a few hours or even days. The pain, which can be mild or extreme depending on the cause of the ache, can also be magnified by hot or cold food or drinks.
Causes of toothaches
There are different causes of toothache. One of the minor causes of an ache is having food dislodged between the teeth, causing mild pressure, which can be painful and uncomfortable.
In severe cases, a toothache can be induced by a cavity that leads to tooth decay, a fractured tooth, damaged fillings, or a bacterial infection leading to an abscess, a collection of pus at the end of a tooth or in the gums.
Unlike a toothache caused by pressure from food being stuck between the teeth, pain from tooth decay or an abscess is caused by inflammation in the innermost layer of the tooth, which is made up of sensitive nerves and blood vessels.
Treatment
The treatment of a toothache depends on the cause. The best course of action when experiencing a toothache is to visit a dentist, who will examine and sometimes conduct an x-ray to discover the root of the problem.
If a toothache is caused by food dislodging between the teeth, removing the stuck food will relieve the pressure and, therefore, relieve the pain and discomfort.
This can be done through flossing, which helps remove food lodged too deep. Flossing and brushing regularly helps prevent plaque development, which can cause serious teeth problems.
A toothache caused by deeper factors such as cavities and infections requires you to visit a dentist who will advise on how to get rid of it. Sometimes, a toothache may require total tooth extraction, filling the hole in the tooth or root canal therapy.
You can do a simple warm saltwater rinse to relieve the pain before you go to the dentist. If the pain is extreme, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol.
However, you should note that these only deal with the pain temporarily; it is essential to visit a dentist who will help you figure out the cause of the ache and how to cure it permanently.
Prevention
Good oral hygiene is the medicine for toothache. To help prevent experiencing a toothache, brush your teeth at least two times a day or after every meal.
Floss regularly to remove plaque and any stuck food. Note that after brushing your teeth, avoid rinsing off the protective toothpaste.
It is also suitable for your teeth if you avoid eating lots of sugary foods or drinks that encourage the growth of bacteria in plaque and may lead to decay, which can result in an abscess.
The most important preventive measure is regular checkups with your dentist, who will deal with any arising problem before it escalates.
By Dr Azeema Veljee, Consultant Dental Surgeon at Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
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