Causes of Toothache

Research show that over 5 million people visit their dentist every year with one common problem – toothache. Yes, you read it correctly! Toothache is the main reason why people visit their dentist because they want to be relieved from the pain it brings. Simply put, toothache, scientifically called as odontalgia, happens when the pulp of the tooth is exposed and/or infected. A tooth is composed of three main parts – the pulp, the dentin and the enamel. The pulp is the inner layer which is engulfed by a layer of dentin. The layer of dentin is covered by the hard layer we see called the enamel. When the enamel is damaged, exposing the dentin, a toothache can occur.

The six most common causes of a toothache are as tooth decay, tooth abcess, jaw disease, gum disease, tooth root sensitivities, and a cracked tooth. In the text the will follow, each one will be explained in detail with their corresponding treatment.
First, tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when a hole is formed in the enamel, thus exposing the dentin. There are cases when the inner pulp is also exposed which causes a severe toothache. Demineralization of the enamel caused by the acids created by bacteria in the mouth is what makes the hole. To avoid having a tooth decay, reducing the amount of sugary foods one consumes should be done. This is because the bacteria feeds on the sugar and starch that is left in the mouth. Brushing and flossing will also stop plaque build-up. A visit to the dentist with a cavity or tooth decay will mean applying a filling to the hole. Larger holes may need a crown. In more severe scenarios, a root canal or tooth extraction may be done to stop the toothache.

A tooth abcess is a complication of an untreated tooth decay. With a tooth abcess, the bacteria has infected the inner pulp of the tooth up to the root causing a very painful toothache. When this occurs, the dentist will have no other choice but to perform a root canal procedure by removing the pulp and filling it with an inert material. If this does not work, then a tooth extraction will be done.
A jaw disease is usually caused by an impact or injury to the head. It is characterized by pain felt in the muscles around the jaw which one can mistake for a toothache. Having a jaw disease often limits the person’s jaw movements. To remedy this, the dentist will fit you with an intraoral splint. If bruxism or teeth grinding is the problem, crowns and other orthodontic treatment may be required to align the teeth.

Build up of plaque (bacteria found in the mouth) or tartar is the main cause of a gum disease. This build-up causes the soft tissues of the mouth to become infected and leads to bleeding gums. When a dentist diagnoses that one has a gum disease, oral hygiene improvement will be advised. In some cases, removal of plaque and tartar will be done. For the more severe ones, the inflammed gum tissue will have to be removed.

Tooth Root Sensitivities occur when toxins dissolve the bone around the root. When this gets dissolved, the root is exposed which can cause sensitivity resulting to a toothache. This can even cause a chronic gum disease. Brushing with flouride toothpaste can help in this situation. Severe situations will need a root canal or tooth extraction procedure to stop the toothache.

Having a cracked tooth is another cause of a toothache. This can occur for a variety of reasons including mouth injuries, bruxism, chewing on rigid objects, and/or exposure to extreme temperature changes. A cracked tooth will expose the dentin or the inner pulp thus the pain that comes with a toothache. Untreated, having a cracked tooth will lead to severe pain because the exposed inner pulp can be infected. Treatment for a cracked tooth can include tooth bonding for mild cases, and root canal or tooth extraction for severe ones.

These are just some of the common causes of a toothache. With any of these causes, it is still best if one sees the dentist to have an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Simple remedies for toothaches

Toothaches may be considered a minor problem by some people, but there are those people who have low tolerance for pain in the mouth. While toothaches usually stem from different causes, it is common that people want to remedy their pain immediately. Fortunately, there are quick fixes for toothaches. Most simple steps can be done at home, so it can be quite convenient for most people.

One of the easy remedies is to take medication like aspirin or ibuprofen. Painkillers keep the discomfort at bay, and thus allowing a person to function normally. With minor toothaches, the pain usually subsides with medication.

If numbing the pain with medication is not for some people, then perhaps they can try numbing the pain with clove oil. It is important to note that one shouldn’t use pure clove oil as this will only do more harm by damaging the nerves. One who wishes to use clove oil must stick to the over-the-counter kind. A few drops of clove oil may be put in a piece of cotton, and the cotton is placed over the affected area. Some people prefer to put the clove oil directly onto the sore tooth. In other cases, a piece garlic clove is placed upon the sore area.
Another alternative is using vanilla extract. Putting three to four drops of the extract onto the aching tooth helps ease the pain.

Different leaves also help cure and prevent toothaches. A person with a toothache may do well by chewing guava leaves, as this has been proven to stop the pain. Fresh spinach leaves, when chewed, may also provide benefits. These leaves prevent the teeth from decaying, and also make the gums strong. Wheat grass is another helpful remedy. This time, the juice of the wheat grass provides comfort.

Certain barks also have numbing properties. Moreover, making a paste out of vinegar and bay berry bark is another alternative. The paste is put onto the painful area, and the pain goes away. A Margosa tree bark may also used to treat a toothache. The bark is boiled along some cloves. The concoction is strained and put in the freezer. This mix is then put over the affected area.

Putting an ice pack on the cheek of the affected area also numbs the pain. In other cases, some people rub ice on the bone where the thumb and forefinger meet. Rub ice on the hand on the same side as the painful tooth. By rubbing ice in the area for about seven minutes, the pain impulses traveling to the brain’s nerve pathways are blocked.
As much as cold therapy works, gargling with warm water also helps to stop the toothache. One can repeat the procedure if the pain does not go immediately.
The simplest way to treat a toothache is to brush and floss the teeth, that is, if the pain is caused by trapped food particles. Cleaning the mouth provides a fast relief to the person with a toothache.

There are several ways to relieve a toothache, and most remedies can be found easily. These steps can be really helpful, especially when the toothache is just minor.

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