What exactly is a toothache?
Pain in the teeth are often associated with the irritation of the nerve that can be found at the root of each tooth. Toothache can be excruciatingly painful, and can happen to patients of any age and sex. Some people say that toothache is one of the most unbearable types of pain. The reason for this might be evolutional: teeth are crucial for survival, and they are very spatially close to the most vital organ, the brain. This could explain why patients perceive pain in the tooth so intensely and sharply. Toothaches can range from a relatively mild sensation of pain to debilitating pain, depending on the underlying cause of it.
Symptoms associated with a toothache include pain induced by chewing food, increased sensitivity to very hot or very cold foods and drinks, bleeding around the tooth or the gingiva, and swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissues. In certain cases the inflammation might lead to pus leaking from the area surrounding the painful tooth. If your pain is not relieved by over the counter medications, persists for longer than 2 days, is co-presented with swelling of the face or the gingiva, fever or temporomandibular joint pain, it is important to seek help from your dentist in Sydney CBD.
What can cause a toothache?
Toothaches can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. Primarily it is the result of the inflammation of the pulp tissue, which is located in the innermost part of the tooth. This tissue contains extremely sensitive nerve endings, which when reached by external stimuli signal pain to the brain. Dental cavities caused by tooth decay, traumatic injuries and oral infections can cause the inflammation of the pulp tissue, also known as pulpitis. Increased inflammation can lead to increased pain. Other occurrences, such as the growth of the wisdom teeth can also cause severe toothaches.
What kind of home remedies are available for a toothache?
Treatment of a toothache at home is symptomatic treatment, meaning that it focuses on relieving the actual pain itself rather than the underlying cause of the toothache. When you experience toothache the treatment has to be started as soon as possible, as the toothache can prevent you from engaging with your daily activities if it is severe. Over the counter non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and acetylsalicylic acid can help relieve the symptoms of the pain. These drugs can be found at pharmacies and even in corner shops, supermarkets or petrol stations.
It is important to avoid foods that are very cold, very hot or contain a lot of sugar while you experience a toothache, as these can make the pain even more severe. Another home remedy that might prove helpful is biting into a cotton ball that has previously been soaked with pressed oil of cloves. This oil can be found usually in pharmacies. The essential oils obtained from cloves contain a chemical that acts as a local anaesthetic.
What kind of medical treatments are available for toothache?
It is important to watch out for the aforementioned signs, as the presence of these indicates that you have to seek medical help to relieve your toothache. When attending a dental appointment at your dentist in Sydney CBD, the reason behind the toothache will be evaluated, and depending on the diagnosis you will receive the appropriate treatment. This can range from fillings to root canals and dental implants.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
