PERIODONTAL SPLINTING

WHAT IS TOOTHACHE?

Pain or inflammation in or around the tooth, often caused by tooth decay or infection.

One usually feels toothache pain as a constant or intermittent ache that does not go away. Temperature changes, such as exposure to cold drinks or pressure on the tooth while chewing, can stimulate a toothache. Some toothache can arise without any stimulation.

 Odontalgia is another name for a toothache.

CAUSES OF TOOTHACHE

* Toothache commonly occurs due tooth decay or cavity. People usually feel pain when the cavity gets larger and deeper into the layers of tooth structure.

*  Localized collections of pus communicating with the oral cavity through the gingival sulcus or other sites (infection) can cause toothache.

* Fracture of a tooth can expose the sensitive dentin or even the pulp, causing tooth pain every time one puts pressure on it with biting or chewing (called "cracked tooth syndrome").

* After getting a crown filling done  the tooth are more sensitive. If  tooth decay was large or deep,dental work can sometimes irritate the nerve.

* Since the roots of the upper molars are very close to the maxillary sinus cavities, so the   inflammation from the sinus cavities can cause these molars to be sensitive and can result in toothache.

* Third molars (wisdom tooth) are the  last permanent teeth to appear in the mouth. More often  there is not enough space for these molars in the mouth. As a result, they become fully or partially trapped (impacted) within the jawbone and below the gum. Third molars can cause dull to severe pain from pressure of eruption, gum infection, or dental decay.

SYMPTOMS OF TOOTHACHE

Pain in your tooth is the primary symptom of the toothache. The pain present can vary in multiple ways:

• sharp ,throbbing or constant pain

• tooth pain when the pressure in applied

• swelling and painful gums

• bad taste in mouth

• teeth hypersensitivity

• cheek or gums swelling near tooth

• bleeding of gums

• headache and fever 

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR TOOTHACHE 

A series of diagnostic tests is done along with dental xrays  to determine the origin of a toothache. These tests finds out the cause of pain, such as cold stimuli, biting or chewing pressure, and finger pressure on the gums. The response to a cold stimuli test can help in determining whether a tooth is vital (nerve is intact within tooth) or suffering from pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp). Determining duration of pain from cold stimuli can help diagnose and determine treatment.

Sometimes the cause of a toothache may come from somewhere different from where pain is actually felt (called "referred pain"). The diagnosis of such type of pain consists of the history and clinical examination including pulp tests ,periodontal probing and radiograph.

Medical Treatment for Toothaches

Toothaches signifies a problem that must be cared for by a dentist.

An antibiotic is prescribed if a fever or swelling of the jaw is present. Such procedures are done in stages,with pain and infection being cared for immediately. Dentists and oral surgeons may plan additional procedures at the most appropriate time.

Fillings or pulling out the teeth, or other procedures may be performed as required.If the problem is severe, root canal therapy (cleaning out the nerves and blood vessels and sealing off the root canals of the tooth) and crown procedures are generally performed.If causes other than the teeth or jaw are responsible for the pain, management will depend on the condition.

For a periodontal abscess, a dentist performs a simple drainage procedure under local anesthesia. Additionally, a dentist thoroughly cleans the affected gum pocket to remove any tartar buildup and debris. The pocket is irrigated with an antimicrobial rinse containing chlorhexidine. Sometimes, antibiotics are locally administered into the pocket to further aid in healing.

Sometimes extraction of the tooth may be the only option for treatment if the tooth or surrounding gum and bone are too damaged.

Toothache Prevention

• Maintain a healthy diet.Brush your teeth after eating.
• Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste as recommended by the American Dental Association. Floss between teeth daily. Water jets are also effective at removing trapped particles. 
• Get an appointment for  teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist at least twice a year. It may help in preventing both decay and gum diseases.
• Do not smoke. Smoking may make some dental conditions worse.
• Routine check ups by dentist can solve your tooth problems.

SO START VISITING YOUR DENTIST AND WORRY LESS  , SMILE MORE ☺☺

                                 DR. ANJUSHA SHARDA