Overview
A toothache can result in pain that shoots down to your jaw and can cause headache and nausea. While a toothache is often the sign of a more serious problem that requires medical attention, such as decay, abscess, gum disease or other causes, the pain of a toothache can be temporarily soothed using remedies you have at home.
Causes
Toothaches are caused by a number of conditions that affect tooth structure and nerves. For example, an abscess is an infected tooth that has collected pus at the tooth’s center. This infection spreads from the inside out, and when it hits the nerve, it can cause pain and swelling. An impacted tooth is another cause that results when a tooth does not fully emerge from the gums and therefore places undue stress on the gums while trying to break away. Tooth decay, also known as a cavity, also can result in a toothache and affect the nerves and gums. Sinus problems also have been linked with toothaches, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention
In addition to routine dentist’s visits every six months, you also can engage in preventive measures at home that help to reduce the incidence of toothaches. According to “The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II,” you should brush your teeth as well as floss twice daily to prevent occurrences such as infection and gum disease.
Misconceptions
The idea of flossing or placing a toothpick inside your toothache will help to relieve pain actually be counterproductive to treating your toothache. Additional activities that may be harmful include eating foods high in sugar, rinsing your mouth with salt water or mouthwash. Refrain from applying painkillers to the tooth or gums because this can burn the area around the gums, according to RocklandSmiles.com.
Treatments
Pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen are available over the counter and are helpful in reducing pain associated with a toothache, according to “The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II.” Additionally, natural remedies such as oil of cloves may help to reduce pain when applied to the gum and tooth area. You also can slow nerve pain by applying ice—be sure to cover the ice in a cloth or other protective coating–to the area between your thumb and forefinger for five to seven minutes. At this time, the area should begin to feel numb. This treatment helps to numb the nerve that follows the same neural pathway as your tooth pain and can temporarily help to reduce overall pain, according to “The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II.”
Expert Insight
Telling the difference between a temporary toothache and something more serious can be difficult when the toothache is somewhat bearable. According to Dr. William P. Maher, assistant professor of Endodontics at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, almost all toothaches—with the exception of those that occur as the result of sinus infections or heart problems—are cause for a physician’s evaluation. Because tooth damage and decay can deaden nerves, your tooth problem may be worsening without your knowledge. For this reason, it’s important to seek treatment whenever tooth pain is experienced.
About this Author
Rachel Nelson is currently a managing editor for custom health publications, including physician journals. A writer for more than six years, she has written for the Associated Press and “Charleston,” “Chatter” and “Reach” magazines. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in public administration from the University of Tennessee.
