Teeth are something that we tend to take for granted until something goes wrong with them. But for anyone who has had a toothache, you will know that it is one of the most unpleasant and painful things that can happen. Taking care of our teeth is something that should be started young – nowadays you can even do this in an environmentally friendly way, by using a bamboo toothbrush like this bambooth.com/ rather than a plastic one. But toothache is something that can sometimes happen no matter how well you look after your teeth. Here are the most common causes of toothache…
Damage to the Tooth – This often happens when you bite down hard on something, and it cracks the tooth. It might be something that shouldn’t be in your mouth at all like a stray stone in an olive or a hard kernel in some popcorn, but it could also happen with a hard sweet or a nut.
An Abscess – This is particularly painful and is often accompanied by swelling. An abscess should be seen by a dentist urgently as it is an infection that will only get worse if left untreated. The dentist will probably also prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection before also dealing with the abscess itself.
Tooth Decay – This is the result of too many sugary foods and not enough cleaning – this happens when the plaque builds up on the tooth and breaks down the enamel, eventually meaning that the sensitive centre of the tooth is exposed, causing a lot of pain. Depending on the severity of the damage the dentist may do a filling or a root filling on the tooth.
When toothache leads to root canal treatment
One serious cause of toothache is infection reaching the nerve or blood supply inside a tooth, usually through decay or trauma. An abscess often forms, and the pain can be severe. At that point the dentist will either remove the tooth or carry out root canal treatment, also called endodontics, to save it. Most dentists, NHS and private, can do this, and more complex cases may be referred to an endodontist.
You may be given antibiotics first, and the dentist will usually take X-rays to see the extent of the damage. A local anaesthetic normally numbs the area. The tooth is opened through the crown so the infected pulp can be removed, any abscess drained and the canal cleaned. A temporary filling often goes in until the next visit.
At the follow-up appointment, the root canal is filled and sealed. With a crown fitted and good oral hygiene, a treated tooth can last for up to ten years.
How plaque builds up and harms teeth
Plenty of toothache begins long before any pain is felt. What we eat leaves deposits on the surface of the teeth, and over time these harden into plaque. Plaque is simply a hardened deposit, but as it builds up it can wear down tooth enamel and lead to decay, which is one of the main reasons teeth start to hurt.
Some foods also leave marks that are hard to clean away. Strongly coloured or oily dishes can leave stains on the teeth, and if they are not removed promptly they can become harder to shift and give plaque more to cling to.
Regular brushing with a good toothbrush and quality toothpaste is the best way to stop stains becoming permanent and to keep plaque under control. Paying attention to the foods that seem to mark or affect the teeth, and cleaning thoroughly after eating them, makes decay and the pain that comes with it much less likely.