Toothache: drugs, symptoms, causes, how to treat

Definition of toothache

Toothache is pain in and around the teeth to the jaw which is usually caused by tooth decay. This damage occurs when the putrefactive bacteria in the mouth produces acids that can attack the surface or tooth enamel.

Toothache is felt when the nerve of the pulp is irritated or infected by bacteria, causing pain. The pulp nerves are the most sensitive nerves in this area of your body.

The pain in this tooth often appears suddenly. Cold food or drink can make pain worse.

This condition can worsen at night because the bacteria multiply and are more active at night. Meanwhile, the body is more passive, for example in producing saliva which functions as self cleansing oral cavity from bacteria.

The level of pain varies from person to person, from mild to severe. Most people describe toothache as a sharp pain that feels like a sharp sore, twitching, or aching.

The pain can come and go in a matter of minutes or even less than 15 seconds then go away on its own, or be constant and last for days.

This sick condition can worsen if it is not treated immediately. In serious cases, you may need to see a dentist so that the pain gets better quickly.

How common is this pain?

Toothache is a common disease suffered by many people. According to the results of the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018, at least 45.3% of the Indonesian population has dental problems, whether it is due to damaged or cavities.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, tooth decay such as caries, aka cavities, is the most common cause of tooth pain in most children and adults.

However, children who are most susceptible to this condition are due to their habit of eating sweet foods and not being able to maintain proper dental hygiene.

Toothache is not life threatening, but it can be a sign of another disease that is more serious and requires immediate medical care.

Toothache signs & symptoms

Each person's pain symptoms may be different. But in general, the typical signs and symptoms of this condition include:

Pain that throbbed sharply and appeared constantly
Pain that occurs when pressing your teeth or chewing food
Teeth become very sensitive to hot or cold temperatures
Swelling around the gums or jaw
Bleeding or foul-smelling discharge from the infected tooth
Fever or headache
The pain starts to spread to the cheek, ear, or jaw area

Untreated tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, and even tooth loss.

When should I see a doctor?

You should contact your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Pain that lasts more than 1 or 2 days
High fever
The pain is severe and unbearable even after taking pain relievers that are sold in pharmacies, drug stores, or supermarkets without a doctor's prescription
Swelling, pain when biting, red gums, or a foul-smelling, unpleasant-tasting discharge
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Earache or pain when opening your mouth wide

Seek immediate medical attention whenever you have unusual or strange symptoms. Remember, you are the one who best knows the state of your own body.

The cause of toothache

In children and adults, the main cause of pain is tooth decay.

The sugars and carbohydrates from food stuck in your teeth can provoke the bacteria in your mouth to multiply wildly.

These bad bacteria then produce toxins that form plaque and stick to the surface of the teeth.

Plaque can damage tooth tissue and create a hole in the outer part of the tooth. In the early stages, you may not feel significant symptoms.

However, when the tooth decay has expanded and the hole that appears has gotten bigger, you will feel pain.

If tooth decay is left untreated, it can develop into an infection near the tooth or on the pulp inside your tooth.

Here are some of the causes of tooth pain that you may experience.

1. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an infection caused by the buildup of plaque around the gums. In the early stages of gingivitis, your gums can become inflamed and swollen (also called periodontitis, swollen gum disease), even bleeding.

This infection can spread and cause further tooth decay.

2. Sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth is a condition when the enamel is thinning due to gum recession (receding gums), the habit of brushing your teeth too hard, or acidic substances from food. The thinning of the enamel exposes the middle layer called dentin.

Dentin functions as a protective network of tubules that are connected to the tooth nerve and is sensitive. So even consuming hot or cold food and drinks can cause your teeth to feel sore.

3. The habit of grinding teeth

Grinding your teeth can cause nerve damage. This in turn causes pain. In medical terms, this condition is called bruxism. If this habit continues, the pain can radiate to the jaw and the area around the face.

4. Cracked teeth

Cracked teeth can also cause sharp pain when you chew food. Tooth cracks can occur due to injuries in the mouth area, biting objects that are too hard, to the habit of grinding teeth.

5. Impacted wisdom teeth

Impaction is a term known as a condition when wisdom teeth grow irregularly or become oblique. Wisdom teeth that grow in unwanted positions and jostled against other teeth can cause sharp throbbing pain that often appears suddenly.

6. Pulpitis

Pulpitis is inflammation that occurs in the pulp. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth where there are lots of nerves and blood vessels. For young people, pulpitis is the main cause of their pain and tooth loss.

7. Tooth abscess

The occurrence of pus-filled lumps that form around the teeth due to bacterial infection. The symptom you can feel when an abscess occurs is a sharp throbbing pain in the mouth and it can be very painful. Pain or pain can spread to the ears, jawbone, and also the neck.

8. Sinusitis

Symptoms of sinusitis can make your teeth and jaw throb intensely. This is because your upper back teeth share the same neural pathways as the sinus cavities.

9. Erosion of teeth

Tooth erosion is the formation of cavities on the outer surface (tooth enamel) due to plaque buildup. When plaque builds up, it produces acid which causes cavities in the teeth, causing tooth enamel to break down. If not treated, it will hurt, infection, and even tooth loss.

Toothache risk factors

Some things that can increase the risk of toothache include:

Eating disorders such as anorexia and / or bulimia
A diet high in sugar
Dry mouth
Bad dental habits
Rarely brush your teeth and flossing
Having a history of GERD, high stomach acid levels can damage tooth enamel
Smoking or chewing tobacco
Certain drugs
Undergo chemotherapy treatment

Medication & Treatment for toothache

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do you diagnose a toothache?

In order to find out the cause of the pain you are experiencing, you must consult directly to the dentist. First of all, the dentist will perform a physical examination while asking about your medical history and symptoms.

Another thing the doctor will do is to examine your throat, sinuses, ears, nose and neck.

X-rays may also be performed, depending on what your doctor thinks is the cause of your toothache. In certain cases, laboratory tests including a cardiac ECG may also be done to confirm a doctor's diagnosis.

If your doctor suspects that the cause of your pain is not due to a tooth or jaw problem, your doctor may prescribe a number of medications to relieve the symptoms.

How can I prevent toothache?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So it is with toothache. Prevention is best done before the unexpected pain appears.

1. Brush your teeth regularly

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, American Dental Association recommend to brush your teeth regularly twice a day. This is because brushing your teeth is useful for cleaning food residue and plaque that contains bacteria in it.

Also use a suitable toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for maximum results.

2. Using dental floss

Use dental floss beneficial for improving your oral hygiene. The way it works is to clean particles and plaque that are left behind and still accumulate because they are difficult to reach.

3. Gargle with a safe content

Apart from getting rid of bad breath, mouthwash can also be a mainstay way to prevent toothaches. The content in mouthwash is claimed to be able to control bacterial growth while reducing plaque that is still attached.

If you have sensitive teeth, avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol.

4. Limiting food or drinks that can damage teeth

There are several types of food or drink that can cause toothaches. For example, foods or drinks that are hot, cold, sour, sticky, and excessively sweet.

In addition to limiting consumption, don't forget to always brush your teeth after consuming these foods or drinks.

5. Routinely check your teeth to the doctor

You should do this one way to prevent toothache. Even though everyone has different oral and dental conditions, it is advisable to check your teeth regularly every 6 months.

How to treat a toothache by a dentist?

Once your dentist has found the cause, he can choose the right treatment for you. Basically, toothache treatment will be adjusted based on the underlying cause.

Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if you have a fever or swelling of your jaw.

However, make sure you take antibiotics as recommended by your doctor. Do not add or reduce doses of medication without your doctor's approval.

It is hoped that in the use of antibiotics, users can drink them completely according to the doctor's instructions to prevent antibiotic resistance.

The dentist may also give you painkillers and NSAIDs to relieve symptoms. Acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen, or aspirin can be prescribed by doctors to treat pain in adults.

Aspirin should not be given to children because it has the potential to cause dangerous side effects, namely Reye Syndrome (fat accumulation in the brain, liver and other organs in children).

Home toothache treatment

While waiting for your scheduled dentist appointment, there are a number of home remedies you can do to help relieve symptoms. Among them:

1. Gargle with salt water

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water. Then gargle for a few moments and remove the water marks. Salt is effective at reducing inflammation due to infection.