Toothache
| Toothache | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | K08.8 |
| ICD-9 | 525.9 |
| DiseasesDB | 27698 |
| MeSH | D014098 |
A toothache, also known as odontalgia or, less frequently, as odontalgy, is an aching pain in or around a tooth.
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Causes
- Dental etiology, In most cases toothaches are caused by problems in the tooth or jaw, such as
- Dental caries
- Pulpitis, an inflammation of the dental pulp. This can be either reversible or irreversible. Irreversible pulpitis can be identified by sensitivity and pain lasting longer than fifteen seconds, although an exception to this may exist if the tooth has been recently operated on. Teeth affected by irreversible pulpitis will need either root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth.[1]
- A special condition is barodontalgia, a dental pain evoked upon changes in barometric pressure, in otherwise asymptomatic but diseased teeth.[2][3]
- Periodontitis
- Wisdom teeth
- Cracked tooth
- Dry socket, which is a condition arising after having one or more teeth extracted (especially mandibular wisdom teeth).
- Some causes of toothache are the more obvious culprits such as a cracked tooth, filling or veneer, dental caries from eating acidic, sweet foods that corrode the fillings and the tooth’s protective enamel layer. This corrosion is caused from the bacteria that are present on the teeth which break down the sugars in refined foods and then excrete them in the form of acids, which then eat away at the protective enamel of the tooth, causing a cavity, infection and eventually toothache.
- Non-dental etiology
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced neuropathy[4]
- Atypical odontalgia is a form of toothache present in apparently normal teeth. This is the intra-oral equivalent of atypical facial pain. The pain, generally dull, often moves from one tooth to another for a period of 4 months to several years. The cause of atypical odontalgia is not yet clear, although some form of nerve deafferentation is plausible.
- Referred pain of angina pectoris or a myocardial infarction.
[edit] Severity
The severity of a toothache can range from a mild discomfort to excruciating pain, which can be experienced either chronically or sporadically. This pain can often be aggravated somewhat by chewing or by hot or cold temperature. An oral examination complete with X-rays can help discover the cause. Severe pain may be considered a dental emergency.
Toothache: First aid
Tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches for most children and adults. Bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on the sugars and starches in the food you eat. These bacteria form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of your teeth.
Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of your teeth (enamel), creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation of pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. A toothache often indicates that your dentist will need to work on your teeth.
Self-care tips
Until you can see your dentist, try these self-care tips for a toothache:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your teeth.
- Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to dull the ache.
- Apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Benzocaine has been linked to a rare but serious, sometimes deadly, condition (methemoglobinemia) that decreases the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry. Don't use benzocaine in children younger than age 2 without supervision from a health care professional, because this age group has been the most affected. Never use more than the recommended dose of benzocaine. Direct application of oil of cloves (eugenol) also may help. Don't place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums, as it may burn your gum tissue.
Call your dentist
- When you have signs of infection, such as swelling, pain when you bite, red gums or a foul-tasting discharge
- If the pain persists for more than a day or two
- When you have fever with the toothache
- If you have trouble breathing or swallowing
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