Toothache: Causes, Diagnosis and Management
The term 'toothache' is used to refer to the pain felt in and even around the teeth. Basically, the condition is the most common form of orofacial pain, and it can affect the general oral cavity, the face and the jawbone structure. Toothaches are primarily associated with dental diseases, but the pain might be referred to the teeth by non-dental condition.
It is critical for you to consult your family dentist if you have been experiencing any type of toothache. If the pain escalates, the problem will be considered to be a dental emergency. In addition, the problem will have a significant impact on your lifestyle since it will affect your eating, sleeping and general physical activities. Here is a description of the common causes of toothache, diagnosis and management options.
Common Causes
There are diverse common causes of toothaches, and the type of pain can help you determine the possible underlying problem. If your tooth is throbbing and you feel pulsating pain, your dental structure is probably inflamed. The inflammation is typically caused by dental abscess, infection, tooth cavities and even failure of dental restoration. Gum diseases and food compaction injuries will also cause this type of pain.
If the toothache is not localised but rather affects all the teeth, the causative problem might be rampant dental decay or gingival recession, which exposes tooth roots. Enamel demineralisation and bruxism will also produce the generalised tooth pain. You should also take tooth sensitivity to temperatures seriously because this can indicate the presence of cracks or serious infections.
Diagnosis
You should visit your dentist for examination if the tooth pain is significant. Immediate assistance is particularly important if you have a fever or are experiencing earaches and jaw pain. Early treatment will prevent the pain and infections from spreading to the skull, general facial structures and the bloodstream. The dentist will perform a physical exam of the teeth and record your description of the pain. In most cases, the specialist will assess the jawbone, throat, tongue, sinuses and the neck to determine whether there is an underlying non-dental problem. Additionally, you might be subjected to x-ray imaging for accurate diagnosis of the toothache.
Management and Treatment
The ideal management option for your toothache will depend on the underlying cause. Therefore, you will need to discuss the viable treatment plans with your dental practitioner. Generally, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve the pain since most toothaches are caused by localised infection and dental caries. The common treatments include root canal therapy, antibiotics, fillings replacement and even tooth extraction.