Cavities are the most common reason for toothache. They are caused by dental plaque, a sticky substance made up of food bits saliva and bacteria. Plaque makes acids that eat away the enamel on the teeth. A toothache can also be caused by a bit of food stuck between the gum and the teeth. Tooth pain can also be caused when the nerve root of a tooth is irritated. Dental infection, decay, injury, or loss of a tooth is a few common causes of dental pain. Pain may also occur after a tooth is pulled out. Pain sometimes originates from other areas and radiates to the jaw, thus appearing to be tooth pain.
Symptoms of Toothache
- Sharp pain in the tooth, often when you bite or chew.
- Ache or soreness in the teeth, gums or jaws.
- Bad breath or bad taste in your mouth due to severe decay.
- A loose tooth.
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums.
- Fever.
- Earache.
- Swollen glands in the neck.
- Severe pain in the jaw.
Prevention of Toothache
- Brush your teeth after meals and between-meal snacks. Floss at least once a day.
- Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
- Do not smoke or use other tobacco products because it decreases your ability to fight gum infection and delays healing.
- Don't eat any sticky foods, which damage tooth enamel.
- Get your teeth cleaned every 6 months and see a dentist every year.
- Ask your dentist or hygienist whether he or she recommends using a mouthwash that contains fluoride and ingredients to reduce plaque.
Home remedies for toothache
Some of the most effective home remedies for toothache are:
- Use dental floss to remove trapped food bits. Or rinse with warm salt water.
- Suck on an ice cube to numb your gums or put a cold pack on your jaw.
- If cold doesn't work, try heat. Put a hot compress on your jaw, and rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Put a wet tea bag on a sore gum for 30 minutes to ease soreness or to stop bleeding.
- Put oil of cloves on an aching tooth with a cotton swab every 20 minutes for pain.
- Make a temporary filling for a lost or broken tooth with an over- the counter products.
- Take an over the counter pain reliever in case of too much pain (don't take aspirin as it can increase bleeding).
Need of Home remedies for Toothache
- If you have any symptoms of an abscess.
- If your toothache lasts for more than a day or two.
- If you have throbbing pain, or if heat, cold or pressure makes the tooth hurt.
- If you have swollen red and painful gums. .
