What Helps With Toothache?
Toothache is a condition that negatively affects a person’s quality of life. It is important to seek dental care as soon as possible for the treatment of toothache, which can arise from various different causes. Untreated toothaches can lead to bigger problems.
What are the Causes of Toothache?
There can be many different reasons for toothache. The cause of the pain should be determined through a detailed examination for proper treatment. The most common cause of toothache is tooth decay. Untreated decay can lead to abscess formation and more severe pain. Additionally, tooth sensitivity due to enamel erosion can also cause toothache when exposed to hot or cold stimuli. The causes of toothache can be listed as follows:
Decayed Teeth: If you have a decayed tooth, it often causes discomfort as food gets stuck in the decayed area that has lost its normal structure. If you have unbearable pain that wakes you up from sleep or keeps you awake, bacteria have likely reached the pulp of the tooth, which contains blood vessels and nerves. In other words, bacteria and even food particles are now in micro-level contact with the tooth’s nerve, and this often causes intense pain. If your teeth feel sensitive for a short period and quickly subside when eating or drinking something sweet, you most likely have a decayed tooth.
Dentin Sensitivity: If your tooth suddenly hurts a lot when you consume cold or hot foods and the pain quickly goes away when the stimulus is removed, you probably have sensitivity to cold. It is also highly likely to experience sensitivity in your teeth when exposed to thermal stimuli like cold and hot due to gum recession and the exposure of root surfaces.
Impacted Teeth: Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are located at the back of the jaws and are often difficult to clean properly. Due to ineffective cleaning, they can decay unnoticed and cause pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that cannot erupt into the oral cavity can also cause damage to the second molars in front of them. In such cases, the patient may feel pain in the back of the jaw, ear, eye, and even the neck. The only treatment for painful impacted teeth is to have them extracted promptly. Otherwise, it can lead to the loss of the adjacent tooth or the formation of a cyst in the long term. Painkillers can be used until seeing a dentist. In some cases, swelling may occur in the affected area or in the face. This indicates an infection, and the use of antibiotics may be necessary under the recommendation of a dentist.
Pain originating from the gums: Tooth pain is not always tooth-related, it can also be gum-related (periodontal). Sometimes, even if your teeth are relatively healthy, your gums may be unhealthy. Inflammation of the gums is called periodontitis. The symptoms of periodontitis include bleeding gums, red/bluish-purple color changes, gum recession, gum enlargement, tooth displacement, spacing, elongation, mobility, abscess formation, sensitivity, and bad breath. Pain is usually accompanied by abscess formation. Increased pressure due to gum inflammation can cause the tooth to feel painful. Therefore, after the inflammation is treated, the toothache usually subsides. Treatment involves the removal of inflamed gum tissue through a procedure called scaling and root planing performed under local anesthesia, as well as controlling it with antiseptic mouthwashes.
Referred toothaches: Referred toothaches are pains felt in areas away from their source. The pain from one tooth can be felt in the neighboring tooth, two or three rows in front of it, or in a tooth on the opposite jaw. However, referred tooth pain does not cross the midline of the jaw. Pain on the left side of the jaw is not felt on the right side, and vice versa. Examples include lower wisdom teeth causing ear pain or causing pain in the front teeth, upper wisdom teeth causing pain that radiates to the temples, eyes, and cheekbones, unilateral chewing or teeth grinding causing temporomandibular joint pain or even ringing in the ears. In patients with a history of heart attack, heart pain can be referred to the left arm, shoulder, neck, left jaw, and teeth.
Sinusitis: Teeth, especially those located in the back region of the upper jaw, can be related to cavities called sinuses in some individuals. Sinuses are air-filled cavities located inside the skull bones, with openings (channels) that lead to the nasal cavity. Inflammation of the sinus mucosa due to various reasons leads to a condition called sinusitis. The pain caused by sinusitis can sometimes be mistaken for toothache. This distinction can be made by a dentist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor. In such a case, treatment for sinusitis is applied, and the condition of the painful teeth is monitored for a while.
What Helps with Toothache?
The methods to be applied vary depending on the cause of toothache. Toothpaste specifically designed for sensitivity can be used to alleviate pain caused by tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes contain fluoride and potassium. If there are exposed root surfaces or gum recession, protective treatments for dentin hypersensitivity can be applied by a dentist using special varnishes. Open root surfaces can also be covered with fillings or prosthetics. Additionally, if such a condition exists, there are some simple procedures that can be applied at home to reduce sensitivity. For example, rinsing your mouth with warm saline solution several times a day and gently brushing your gums in a circular motion with a soft toothbrush can provide some relief.
Septal pain, also known as food impaction pain, can occur when food debris gets trapped between the back teeth after eating, causing pressure on the gums. The reason for this is the ineffective removal of food debris from between the teeth. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly clean the interdental spaces with an interdental brush or dental floss after meals.
What Helps with Tooth Decay Pain?
Those experiencing toothache seek the answer to the question, “What relieves toothache?” However, what matters is not temporary solutions but permanent treatment approaches. If your tooth is causing pain due to decay, the decay must be treated. Pain relievers can be used to alleviate the pain, but if the tooth is not treated, the pain
What is a Wisdom Toothache? How is it treated?
The third molar, also known as the wisdom tooth or “20th tooth,” is the last tooth that emerges at the back of the upper and lower jaws. Typically, between the ages of 17 and 20, these wisdom teeth, being the last permanent teeth to come in, are often covered by gum tissue or bone and remain partially or fully impacted. In such cases, wisdom teeth may not erupt around the age of 20, the expected time for their eruption. Additionally, if there is insufficient space in the mouth, the wisdom teeth may remain impacted below the other teeth. Over time, when the factors preventing the tooth from erupting are resolved, the wisdom teeth can find their way through the jawbone and emerge. However, in most cases, the wisdom teeth fail to properly erupt through the gum or find adequate space on the jawbone. Even if they do emerge, wisdom teeth may not be functional for chewing. If the wisdom teeth are not impacted and do not cause any problems, they do not need to be extracted. However, in some cases, impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can cause pain. If wisdom teeth cause pain, it is essential to consult a dentist and have them examined. Particularly in the upper jaw, the presence of an abscess related to wisdom teeth can lead to significant health issues. Depending on the condition of the wisdom teeth, the dentist may prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics. After resolving any infection in the tooth, the treatment is completed by extracting the wisdom tooth.
Why Does Toothache Worsen at Night?
Severe toothaches often intensify at night. This is because hormonal changes and increased intravascular pressure and vasodilation can make the pain more pronounced during the night. The best course of action for a toothache that starts at night is to take a pain reliever and visit the nearest dentist as soon as possible. Applying cologne, alcohol, aspirin, or other substances to the gum area around the painful tooth when access to a dentist is difficult is highly inappropriate and dangerous. These substances can irritate the gum and cause secondary pain. Gargling with mouthwashes containing pain relievers or rinsing with saltwater can provide some temporary relief. However, all of these methods are short-term and not curative. The best approach is to temporarily alleviate the pain by taking an analgesic (pain reliever) medication prescribed by a healthcare professional and seek dental care at the earliest opportunity.
What Helps Relieve Toothache?
It is crucial to identify the underlying cause of toothache when it is present. Only after determining the cause can a decision be made regarding the treatment of pain, swelling, or other complaints. If symptoms persist despite trying various methods or if the complaints continue for 1-2 days, it may indicate the need to schedule an appointment with a dentist. Additionally, it is recommended to consult your dentist before applying any methods to determine which one is most suitable for you or if there are any potential negative effects.
What Home Remedies Help Relieve Toothache?
The methods to be applied may vary depending on the cause of the toothache. Toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitivity can be used to alleviate pain caused by tooth sensitivity. These toothpaste products contain fluoride and potassium. If there are exposed root surfaces or gum recession, a protective dentin sensitivity treatment can be applied by a dentist using special varnishes. Open root surfaces can also be covered with fillings or prosthetics. In addition, if such a condition exists, there are some simple procedures you can apply at home to reduce sensitivity. For example, gargling with warm saltwater several times a day and brushing your gums gently with a soft toothbrush can provide some relief.
“For thousands of years, garlic has been used to alleviate various problems and has been used not only to eliminate harmful bacteria characterized by plaque formation in the teeth but also for its pain-relieving properties. In this method, a garlic clove is crushed and turned into a paste, which can be applied to the affected area. Alternatively, a garlic clove can be placed between the aching teeth and chewed slowly.
Another plant that has been used in the treatment of toothaches throughout history is clove. The oil found in this plant can suppress inflammatory responses and provide a numbing effect on the pain. Eugenol, which it contains, is considered a natural antiseptic. A small amount of clove oil, dripped onto a small piece of cotton, is sufficient for this application. Some individuals may prefer to dilute the clove oil in a carrier oil such as olive oil before use. This application can be repeated several times throughout the day.
Thyme is a herb that can contribute to the treatment of toothaches with its strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In the use of thyme for this purpose, a few drops of thyme oil can be mixed with a few drops of water to dilute the oil. Then, this mixture can be applied to the affected area using a cotton ball. Thyme oil can also be used as a gargle by adding 1 drop of thyme oil to a small glass of water.
In addition to these applications, various methods can be used to alleviate toothaches, especially those that occur at night, in order to ensure a good night’s sleep:
- Keeping the head elevated
- Avoiding the consumption of acidic, cold, or hard foods before going to bed
- Applying a cold compress to the affected area before sleeping
Depending on the underlying cause of the toothache, your dentist will decide on the most appropriate treatment method for your condition. In the case of tooth decay, the cavity can be cleaned and filled with another material, while in the case of fractures or cracks, repair or dental prosthesis applications can be considered. If the toothache is due to a sinus infection, antibiotics can be used to eliminate both the infection and the pain. For healthy teeth, you should perform the necessary dental care daily and not neglect any symptoms. Individuals with more severe dental damage can consult dentists for information on dental implants. Toothache is a condition that negatively affects the quality of life. Therefore, do not forget to have your dental check-ups at least twice a year.”
