The symptoms of a toothache are varied and depend on the cause of the tooth pain. A person might experience pain in his or her jaw, neck, or cheek. There might also be minor bleeding and discharge from the gum under or surrounding the tooth in question. Gum disease is a very common cause of a toothache, so there might also be signs of this disease, like inflamed red gums or pockets in the gum. It is generally recommended to a see a dentist to find the cause and solve the problem.
One of the most common symptoms of a toothache is pain in the jaw. This pain can be constant, or it can come and go as the affected person introduces hot or cold stimuli. Often, pain from stimuli, like a hot beverage or cold food, does not immediately go away once the stimuli is removed. The pain can continue for several seconds to a couple of minutes, radiating throughout the mouth and jaw.
The symptoms of a toothache are not limited to mouth and jaw pain, of course. Toothache pain can radiate throughout the cheek, throat, and even the forehead. In fact, some people mistake the symptoms of a toothache for an ordinary headache caused by loud noise or stress. There can also be confusion about where toothache-induced throat pain is coming from too, with some mistaking it for throat pain caused by the common cold. Generally, pain that originates from one part of the body but is felt in another is called referred pain.
Depending on the cause, the affected person might experience blood and discharge coming from around one or more teeth. These symptoms of a toothache can be caused by trauma to the mouth or gum disease. Trauma to the mouth can either be direct or indirect, and caused by any number of things, like falling and hitting the jaw, being hit in the mouth with an object, or attempting to chew something very hard.
Gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, usually from failing to floss and brush often enough. This disease commonly starts with inflamed gums that bleed when brushed or flossed. In this case of gum disease, the symptoms of a toothache might be excessive gum bleeding, pockets within the gums, and eventually tooth loss if the disease is not treated.
There are many ways to soothe a toothache, and which one is best depends on several factors. Some toothache relief methods are better for minor toothaches, while others are better suited to the severe pain from more serious dental conditions. It is always best for people experiencing a toothache for more than a couple of days to see a doctor or dentist to evaluate their condition. There are many things that can help relieve tooth pain until a dentist makes a proper diagnosis, however.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can help relieve pain and swelling from a toothache. Antibiotics prescribed by a dentist or doctor can provide toothache relief if it is a result of an infection or tooth abscess. Creams and gels that contain benzocaine and are made for mouth pain and toothaches can help numb the area, and provide instant relief in many cases.
Simple home remedies can often also help with minor to moderate discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt water or diluted hydrogen peroxide may help relieve tooth and mouth pain, and can be done many times a day until the toothache subsides. Sometimes a good brushing and flossing can provide toothache relief, if the toothache was a result of food particles stuck in the teeth or gums. Placing an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables against the cheek or jaw may alleviate pain by numbing the nerves in the area.
Herbal remedies and natural remedies can provide temporary relief from tooth and gum pain in many patients. Pressing a clove or swabbing clove oil against the sore tooth can help numb the pain. Swabbing vanilla, almond, or peppermint extract over the tooth with a cotton swab can also dull tooth pain. Chewing peppermint leaves or ginger root may also provide relief from many toothaches.
Many common foods can be a source of toothache relief. A chunk of potato, onion, cucumber, or lime held against the sore tooth may provide instant relief for many patients. Refrigerated foods often help numb the nerves around the tooth while dulling the pain, but sometimes sore teeth are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures. In such a case, the treating foods should be used at room temperature.
Most toothaches are caused by cavities and other forms of tooth decay. The best way to prevent toothache is through proper oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to a dentist for professional teeth cleaning and full checkup are also essential to good dental health.