Toothache can be overwhelming, even to the point that you may have serious complications including; tooth loss, bacterial blood infection, or swelling of the lungs.
And there are possibilities that you may be at risk of pneumonia or brain abscess. However, this can only happen when you neglect your toothache and leave it untreated.
However, the complications of toothache are entirely dependent on the type and cause, and their elimination is the first and foremost step towards reducing or decreasing the risk of developing these health problems.
But, there are those who either don’t understand whether it’s a toothache or just neglect it completely because of lack of care, lack of time, lack of time to schedule an appointment, or don’t recognize how slight toothache might escalate to dire consequences.
What Is Toothache?
Okay, a toothache is usually a discomfort that occurs in and around the teeth, including the jaw. It happens when the innermost layer of the tooth becomes bloated owing to tooth decay or a broken tooth or thinning of the gums.
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Yet, when different people say different things about toothache, it’s hard to understand the root cause of this dental disease.
What Are The Potential Causes Of Toothache?
So, below are the five potential factors that are believed to cause an individual’s toothache problem:
- Tooth Decay Or Cavity
The most common reason for having a toothache is tooth decay that occurs as a result of bacterial infection. This further adds to the development of cavities or gaps in the tooth’s hard surface.
- Third Molar
The Wisdom tooth, which is particularly affected, is one of the sources of toothache. What happens is that when a tooth begins to burst in your mouth, it passes through the gum, and has no space to fit in properly, the gum becomes damaged, causing you the discomfort. An x-ray will help you know if a wisdom tooth is about to erupt.
- Cracked Tooth Or Dental injury
Teeth that are fragile from within (even without a cavity) usually snap by themselves or split when chewing something heavy that they can’t handle. This also causes severe toothache. In other instances, dental injuries incurred by collisions or accidents are also correlated with this problem.
- Receding Gum
This is another prevalent dental problem that causes toothache which, if left untreated, may lead to loss of teeth. Gum recession is a disorder in which the gum margin pulls back, revealing most of the tooth to holes between the tooth and the gum surface, paving the way for infections.
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- Periapical Abscess
When the tooth decay is serious or if any of the above conditions stay unchecked, pus begins to develop at the edge of the gums and inside the teeth, resulting in a bacterial infection or a periapical abscess.
- Grinding Of Teeth
Grinding of teeth yet another common cause of tooth pain and can even lead to sore joints and jawbones, headaches and cracked or chipped teeth.
How Can I Treat Toothache?
Your dentist will be able to advise you on the recovery plan after assessing your toothache and finding the roots of the problem.
Usually, painkillers such as Ibuprofen and Paracetamol can be used to alleviate pain and discomfort, but this is temporary.
- In the event of tooth decay, the decayed layer is removed and then filled with a dental filler.
- When the dentist detects a contaminated pulp inside your mouth, you might have to have a root canal. In this case, the contaminated gum is removed and a special lining is used to cover the tooth, making sure that the infection does not relapse.
- If a missing or loose filling is troubling you and causing you a toothache, it will be extracted and a new filling will be inserted after cleaning the portion.
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- In some instances, such as a wedged tooth, where there is no remedy for discomfort, the tooth is removed.
- If you have fever or inflammation in your mouth, an antibiotic can be administered.
- Often, phototherapy is provided with a cold laser in order to alleviate the pain and inflammation.
How Can I Prevent Toothache?
But, if you really want to get away from the problem of toothache and improve good dental health, then adopt these principles of proper care and add them to your daily routine:
- Make sure you visit the dentist for regular dental check-ups.
- Do away with sugary foods and drinks.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Use dental floss and mouthwash to keep your teeth clean and healthy always.
When Should I See A Dentist?
If your toothache lasts longer than a day or two and you have any of these symptoms, it is best you consult your dentist to prevent any further complications:
- Fever
- Earache
- Inflammation inside the teeth.
- Trouble opening your mouth wide.
- Secretion of bad-tasting fluid from the infected tooth.
If it is not handled at the right time, there is a higher chance of transmitting the infection to other areas of the body, nose, and even the brain.
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Conclusion
A toothache may be mild in the initial stages, but eventually, it will turn into a nightmare, leaving you with multiple and complicated problems.
The last thing you can do is continue to sit to see whether the discomfort goes away. How long a toothache can last depends on several things because, while the toothache subsides, it was there in the first place for a cause and would certainly come back at some stage. Don’t let dental fear stop you from seeking a solution to your dental problem.