The most common complaint in dental offices is toothache. 99.9% of patients suffering from any disease will complain first of toothache.

Definition of toothaches

It is suffering from any type of pain in or around the tooth and/or gums.  

Causes of toothache

• Tooth decay.
• Abscess in or around the tooth.
• Broken tooth.
• Damaged or incomplete filling.
• Gingivitis: infection of the gum.

 

Symptoms of toothache

• Pain in or around the tooth that could be: sharp, throbbing, or persistent.
• In some cases, the patient feels pain when chewing.
• Swelling around the tooth.
• Fever and/or a headache.
• Foul-breath (Halitosis…to learn more about bad breath…check this article)

 

At what point in tooth pain is it necessary to visit your dentist?

See your dentist as soon as possible about your tooth pain if:

• Persistent pain: longer than 24 hours.
• Severe pain.
• If the pain is associated with fever, headache, earache, foul breath.

 

What does the dentist looks for when I complain of toothache?

Your dentist is interested in diagnosing the disease causing the pain not just relieving the toothache. So your dentist may ask you the following questions:

• When did the pain start?
• Location of pain?
• When and what makes it worse?
• What makes it better?
• Have you extracted a tooth before?
• Do you properly brush your teeth? And regularly?

After listening to your answers, your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, molars, gums, jaws, tongue, throat, sinuses, ears, nose, and neck. And may ask for few Investigations like X-rays and blood tests.  

What is the best treatment?

There is nothing called the best treatment for toothache. Each treatment option depends on the main cause of a toothache. For example:

• If it is a cavity that is causing the pain, the dentist will fill this cavity or maybe extract the tooth.
• If there is an infection and or fever then it should be treated with antibiotics.
• Another option is phototherapy with a cold laser in addition to another method of treatment to alleviate pain and inflammation.

Also read " Top Ten Toothache Causes! "

Can I prevent toothache?

The root of all evil in toothache is tooth decay. If you follow good oral hygiene, 99% of it could be prevented What are the proper steps of good oral hygiene?

1. Brushing regularly (twice daily) with fluoride-toothpaste and water.
2. Flossing after every meal.
3. Rinsing with mouthwash.
4. Regular dental checkups.
5. Low sugar diet.

 

Magrabi’s advice

Toothache is one of the most important symptoms/complaints in dental offices. Its treatment depends on detecting the cause of the pain. The most common cause of tooth decay, so by proper daily brushing of your teeth, you can save yourself from toothache and many other complications.