You have probably woken up to it before in the morning. Or maybe it came like a thief at night. Or maybe you felt it when you took a bite from your lunch. Whichever way it came, one fact stands true – It is annoying.
Yes. Toothaches are annoying.
What is a toothache?
You probably already know what a toothache is. And if you do not know, here you go: A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth. It can be minor, where the pain originates from a temporary gum irritation, which can be treated easily. But then, it can be severe, where the pain originates due to a dental problem that may need the intervention of a dentist.
Why that pain?
From dull to achy or sharp to throbbing, toothaches can wear several jerseys. But let’s look deeper at the tooth. Your tooth pulp, also known as the dental pulp, is the innermost layer of your tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels. Long believed to be a tissue with a single sensory reaction upon stimulation and pain, the dental pulp is highly innervated and vascularized. The activation of the tooth pulp nerve fibres is what causes dental pain.
This activation can stem from dental or non-dental causes. Dental causes include pulpitis, food impaction, periodontal abscess, and pericoronitis, among others. Non-dental causes include migraine and angina pectoris, among others. Yes. Although there are numerous potential non-dental reasons, the majority of toothaches have dental origins.
Symptoms of toothaches
These include and are not limited to:
Pain (obviously); can be sharp, throbbing, or dull. While some individuals may constantly experience this pain, in others, the pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth.
Inflammation around the tooth (the cheeks or gums may swell)
Fever
Constant throbbing within the tooth
Discharge or bleeding from the gums
Headaches (well, sometimes)
Treatment and home remedy for the aching menace
A vast majority of individuals have probably experienced this pain at home, especially at night, when they are unable to visit a dentist, hospital, or pharmacy. Some have noticed that they have mild aches during the day, which worsen at night. Here are some home remedies for you that may help you find relief and get to sleep at night:
Using over-the-counter pain medications (like acetaminophen, diclofenac, or ibuprofen).
Elevating the head – It has been said that one of the reasons toothaches worsen at night is that when individuals lie to sleep, blood concentrates in their heads, increasing the pain and pressure they feel from the toothache. Therefore, elevating the head with an extra pillow or two may relieve the pain enough for them to fall asleep.
Using a cold compress on the aching area.
Rinsing the mouth with salt water (rinsing and spitting out, please).
Rinsing the mouth with hydrogen peroxide (rinsing and spitting out too).
Holding a warm tea bag of peppermint against the tooth and gum.
Making a paste of crushed garlic clove and applying it to the affected area.
Toothaches caused by infections can be appropriately treated using antibiotics, which must be used correctly. Moreover, aside from the remedies listed above, the toothache treatment may be more complex and require a dentist’s intervention.
Prevention
It has been stated that proper oral hygiene can help prevent most toothaches. These are a few hygiene tips that can be applied:
Brushing twice a day (you might want to consult a dentist or health personnel for recommended toothpaste to use)
Flossing daily
Drinking lots of water
Visiting the dentist twice a year (this is just as important as brushing twice a day)
Writer:
Oluwaseyi Akin-Ojo
Editor:
Nkem Obiakor
