Toothache can be debilitating. Believe me it is really something that you will be ready to give everything for! Even the strongest and the bravest will crave for a toothache relief the instant a toothache surfaces into existence. Even the dentist's chair will seem like heaven if there is hope of toothache relief.
Why do toothaches occur? Odontalgia or toothaches occur because the nerve at the root of the tooth is irritated. Why do the nerves get irritated? The nerves are irritated because there are problems in the tooth or jaw. Cavities, gum disease, emergence of wisdom tooth, a cracked tooth, infected dental pulp, jaw disease or exposed tooth root can irritate the nerves and send pain signals to the brain. Toothache can also be a symptom of heart problems such as angina or myocardial infraction. The pain is then a referred pain. Dry socket that occurs after tooth extraction can also cause pain. The toothache can therefore, range from mild to severe. Toothache relief will be brought about by tackling the root cause of the problem.
Before providing permanent toothache relief, the dentist must understand and identify the root cause of the pain. He will begin with a preliminary physical examination of the teeth. He will record the medical history and eliminate the possibility of the toothache being a symptomatic physical response to any other medical condition. Some dental problems like barodontalgia (toothache due to change in barometric pressure) or atypical Odontalgia (pain that shifts from tooth to tooth) are not treated and no relief is provided. The former will disappear when the barometric pressure is removed and the reason for the latter is unclear and is often reported by middle aged women. The toothache relief, if any, provided will be symptomatic pain relief.
A very common cause of toothache is the irritation of the tooth pulp or pulpitis. This can be reversible or irreversible. Toothache relief for irreversible pulpitis lies in root canal treatment or tooth extraction.
For those who cannot reach a dentist immediately, toothache treatment can be provided by over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These drugs should be used for relief with caution and exactly as instructed on the package containing the medication. The patient should avoid very hot or very cold foods. Some toothache relief can also be provided by making the patient bite on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves. Oil of cloves can also be obtained from most drug stores.
Toothaches related to jaw problems or temporomandibular joint pain, the patient can be provided toothache remedies as above and an immediate appointment with the dentist is warranted for determining the root cause of the problem.
Toothache medications that may be prescribed by your dentist may include pain killers, antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs. The dentist needs to first contain any infection that may have affected the gums before he can perform tooth extraction or root canal treatments for toothache relief. While the pain will be alleviated immediately with pain killers the complete treatment will be spread over 5-10 days and several sittings at the dental clinic. You can pursue your normal activity during the course of the treatment for toothache relief.
It follows that you need to learn and practice good dental hygiene thereafter, if you want a permanent toothache relief. Ask your dentist the right questions about your teeth before you sign off with the toothache relief you sought from him.
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