Here are 9 symptoms of mild to severe toothache that you need to be aware of

Toothache can come on suddenly and interfere with your activities. Almost everyone must have experienced it. Toothache is the sensation of pain or tenderness that is felt around the teeth. The cause of toothache or pain that you feel can come from several dental diseases itself.

Pain and tenderness in your teeth can occur if you don't take good care of your teeth and mouth. Although usually not causing serious problems, toothaches still need to be treated immediately.

Why do your teeth hurt?

Pulp nerves that are irritated or infected by bacteria can be the cause of a painful toothache. Because the pulp nerves are the most sensitive nerves in this area of the human body.

Toothache can also be caused by problems originating in other areas of the body. Toothache is usually not life threatening, but it can become a problem if not treated properly.

Common symptoms when a toothache

The pain in the tooth can last more than 15 seconds when there is a stimulus. If the symptoms of inflammation persist, the toothache can get worse. The pain can spread to the cheek, ear, or even jaw area.

Here are some symptoms of toothache that you need to be aware of, such as:

A sharp, constant pain
Pain when chewing food
The teeth become more sensitive to cold or heat
There is bleeding around the teeth and gums
There is swelling in the gum area to the outside
Bad breath when there is an infection (halitosis)
Fever accompanied by headaches

The causes of toothache and the accompanying symptoms

Signs or symptoms of aches and pains in teeth can be related to the cause of the toothache, for example tooth decay, gum disease, broken teeth, to redness in the area around the gums.

For more details, see the explanation of each symptom of the causes of toothache below.

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay occurs due to erosion and formation of cavities on the outer surface (tooth enamel). When plaque builds up, it will produce acid which causes holes in the teeth so that the tooth enamel is damaged.

If not treated, it will hurt, infection will occur, and even tooth loss. Toothache signs that you can feel are:

Teeth are more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures
Teeth ache to the touch
The decay spreads to the inside and middle of the teeth

2. Tooth sensitivity

Not everyone has sensitive teeth. This condition occurs when you feel pain as well as aching due to the dentin layer being exposed to cold or hot temperatures. Dentin is a channel filled with nerve fibers.

Some of the causes of pain due to sensitive teeth are:

Sweet foods and drinks
Hot or cold food or drinks.
High acidic foods or drinks.
Brushing hard with the wrong technique.
Using mouthwash with alcohol content.

3. Gum problems

Areas that are close to the teeth such as the gums can also be problematic and cause pain in the teeth. Some problems with the gums are known as inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and gum infection (periodontitis).

Some of the symptoms of toothache caused by inflammation of the gums (gingivitis):

Gums are red, swollen, and tender
The gums also shrink
Gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth
The color of the gums turns blackish red
Bad breath that doesn't go away either

Some of the symptoms of toothache caused by gum infection (periodontitis):

Gums bleed more easily when brushing teeth or chewing textured food
Swollen gums are bright red to purplish
You feel pain when you hit your tongue or fingers
There are visible gaps between the teeth
There is pus in between the teeth and gums.

4. Tooth abscess

Tooth abscess occurs when there are pus-filled pockets in the area of the teeth and gums. This condition is caused by infection due to the entry of bacteria through untreated holes.

The main symptom you can feel is a throbbing and painful pain. In addition, pain can appear suddenly and become more intense over several hours.

It is possible that the pain gets worse at night. Other symptoms caused by tooth abscess:

Teeth become sensitive due to hot or cold food
The gums are swollen, reddish, and feel softer
The mouth gives off an unpleasant odor
The area of the face, cheeks, or neck becomes swollen

If the infection has spread to other areas of the body, you can feel symptoms such as feeling unwell, fever, and difficulty swallowing.

5. Impacted wisdom teeth

New wisdom teeth are not a problem. However, if it grows on an oblique or impacted position it will be a problem. Molar teeth that grow sideways can damage the adjacent teeth, damage nerves, and damage the jawbone.

Signs and symptoms of toothache due to impacted wisdom teeth:

Pain in the gums as well as the back of the jaw
The gums on the back are red, swollen, or may fester
Swelling resulting in asymmetry of the face
It's hard to open your mouth
Pain or tenderness in front of the ear and radiating to the head

6. Cracked teeth

Some disorders of the teeth can also occur due to injury or trauma such as cracked teeth. Not only from falling, biting into something hard can cause your teeth to crack or break. Especially if you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night.

Signs of toothache due to cracked teeth:

It hurts when chewing and biting something
Teeth become sensitive to sweet, hot, and cold
Pain that comes and goes but continues
The gums are swollen and affect the mouth area

7. Teeth whitening procedure

Just done maintenance bleaching on the teeth? It could be that this procedure is the cause of a sudden toothache. Usually the teeth will become more sensitive about 2-3 days after the treatment procedure. Sometimes the gums also get irritated.

Products such as tooth strips and whitening bleaching gel also can make the layer of the teeth so sensitive.

8. Dental care procedures

Toothache can also appear after you have drilled and filled teeth which make the nerves more sensitive. Likewise with dental cleaning treatment, root canal treatment, installation crown teeth, and dental restoration.

Sensitive teeth usually last two weeks and disappear after 4-6 weeks after treatment.

9. Sinusitis infection

Pain you feel in the upper back teeth can actually be a marker of sinusitis infection. This can occur due to the location of the teeth and nasal passages that are close together. When the sinuses become inflamed, the density in the nasal passages presses on the nerve endings of the teeth, which can cause sudden pain in your teeth.

How to relieve toothache

You can also temporarily relieve the pain in your teeth in the following ways:

1. Gargle with salt water

Mix salt with a glass of warm water to relieve inflammation.

2.Rinse with hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)

Hydrogen peroxide can help with inflammation and pain. Dilute hydrogen peroxide and mix with water, then rinse your mouth area. Remember, don't get swallowed.