Toothache: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

A toothache is severe pain in the mouth. It can be mild or severe, and is often accompanied by fever, ear pain, or swelling in the jaw.

What Causes Toothache?

A toothache happens when the nerves inside the tooth become irritated or inflamed. This condition can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• Tooth decay.Tooth decay is an infection that eats away at the enamel of a tooth, forming a hole in the tooth enamel. It’s one of the most common causes of toothaches.
• Periodontal disease. Gum disease is the infection of the gums that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup.
• Impacted teeth. If a tooth is impacted, that means it doesn’t erupt through the gumline properly and can cause pain. 
• Fractured tooth. A fractured tooth can cause pain when biting down.
• Infections.Infections of a tooth or gums can cause severe pain and discomfort.

Other causes of toothache include tooth grinding, oral piercings, a sinus infection, teeth sensitivity, a broken tooth, a cracked tooth, and receding gums.

Symptoms of Toothache

• Pain, redness, and swelling in the gums
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Pus coming from the gums
• Pain when biting down
• A painful headache

Treatments For Toothache

You should see your dentist right away. The dentist will examine your mouth and teeth and X-ray your teeth. To treat your toothache, your dentist will first find out what is causing it. If the cause is gum disease, your dentist will clean your gums and may prescribe antibiotics. If trauma is the cause, you may need a root canal. If tooth decay is causing the toothache, the dentist will remove the decayed tooth pulp and fill the cavity with a dental material. If the tooth is infected, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics.

Dental infections are typically treated with root canal therapy, which involves removing the diseased pulp and replacing it with a filling. During the procedure, the nerves and blood vessels are removed, and the tooth is sealed to help prevent reinfection. This procedure is usually quite effective, and patients generally experience little to no pain.

If your dentist cannot save the tooth, they may recommend extraction. While extraction may sound scary, it is a very common procedure and typically does not produce any pain.

Preventing Toothache

Good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay and cavities, which are the most common causes of toothaches. It is also important to avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks. And be sure to visit your dentist regularly, at least every six months.

We at Vose Family Dentistry provide the best treatment for patients with toothache. Call us at (507) 387-2255 to schedule an appointment.