Toothache: Symtoms, Prevention, Treatment and Home Remedies

Toothache is simply pain in the teeth and may include jaw in the mouth. Tooth decay is the main cause of toothache. The pain ranges from mild to severe. Sometimes you find it difficult to locate part of the teeth paining you if it upper or lower teeth. Pain from the lower molar teeth may feel like it is coming from the ear. Pain from the upper teeth may be felt in the forehead and sinus. The jaw may also be affected as it becomes swollen and tender. Untreated toothache may result in dental abscess which may present with prolong unceasing throbbing pain.

Causes of Toothache

Toothache occurs as a result of inflammation in the dental pulp of the teeth. The pulp contains the blood vessels and nerves. Infection and cavities can result to pulp inflammation also known as pulpitis. Other conditions that result in pulpitis includes tooth decay, cracked tooth, receding gum, abscess, ulcer on gum, sinusitis

Symptoms and Signs of Toothache

Patients with toothache present different signs and symptoms. The feeling of mild to severe pain on exposure to hot or cold food and pressure is not unusual. You need to seek for medical care if you experience some of these signs and symptom as it might be sign of serious problem:

• Bleeding tooth and gum
• Trauma or injury to some part of the teeth
• Swelling of the tooth and/or gum
• Pain with chewing
• Fever
• Tooth sensitivity

Area of dental decay may point out the source of pain. The area gum affected might be reddish in color. Sometimes, other infection may be confused with toothache. Throat pain, sinusitis and fracture to joint present between jaw and skull (temporomandibular joint). Pain from other deep structure of the tooth can pass through nerve in pulp and thus pain is felt in jaw and tooth. 

Prevention of Toothache

Flossing and regular brushing of mouth helps prevent majority of dental problem. Also using some products like fluoride- and xylitol- containing rinse and toothpaste helps prevent teeth infections as well. Have a regular teeth cleaning by dentists.

Home Remedies for Toothache

Garlic- garlic has great medicinal and antibiotic effect. Crush some garlic cloves with table salt and apply directly on the tooth. You can also use garlic powder. If you prefer, you can eat the garlic. It can cure toothache.

Onions- it has an antimicrobial and antiseptic effect on toothache. It kills the germ causing the infection and thus provides relief from the pain. Chew raw onions or apply it directly on the part of teeth affected.

Salt water- put half teaspoon of salt in warm water and use it to rinse or gaggle your mouth. It can help cure toothache. It kills the bacteria and reduces inflammation of the gum.

Pepper and salt- they both have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. It has have antibacterial effect. It is highly effective in treating a sensitive tooth. Mix pepper and common salt in equal amount. Add water to form paste and apply on the affected part of teeth, repeat this procedure for days and notice relief for each day. See your doctor If there is no relief of pain.

Guava leaves- fresh guava leaves has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It can cure toothache. Chew some leaves of guava. The juice helps to treat the ache. You can boil the leaves in clean water, allow to cool then ass salt. It can be used as mouthwash.

Spinach leaves can also be used the same way guava leave is used

Vanilla extract- it has a calming effect on toothache. use some cotton wool to apply vanilla extract to the affected area. Apply it frequently on the affected part as often as possible.

When See Your Dentist

See your doctor if you experience pain for more than 2days especially if it is after a tooth is pulled off. Also if you have pain associated with a swelling face and gum, it might be an indication of tooth or gum infection. Fever with swelling may indicate abscess is present and it requires endodontic drainage by dentist. High fever or chills might suggest a spread of infection and this requires a strong antibiotics or medication. 

Presence of chest pain, rashes or heart disease with toothache suggests some other underlying cause of pain. Headache, nausea, and vomiting also suggest serious injury. You should see your doctor immediately if experience toothache with sweating, breath shortness and light headedness.  Teeth and gum infection in diabetes and immuno-suppressed patient requires aggressive treatment.  

Toothache Treatment

The best way to attenuate pain associated with toothache is to use antibiotics and analgesics. Follow up by a dentist is necessary.  Sometimes, doctor may give local anesthetic in form of injection to control the pain.  

Antibiotics are usually prescribed in case where there is fever or swelling associated with the toothache. Dental team may plan some other additional procedure in case whereby the toothache is caused by other conditions like sinusitis. 

Follow-up for toothache

After visiting your dental team, ensure a continuous good dental care and avoid self-medication to prevent worsening of the condition. Take your medications as prescribed. Ensure you keep to your follow-up appointment. Have a regular check-up and quit tobacco chewing and smoking.