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Toothache
Emergency
What
is toothache?
The
most common cause of toothache, or pain
in the region of the jaws and face,
is pulpitis - inflammation of the pulp
of the tooth. The short, sharp pains
usually occur in response to hot, cold
or sweet stimuli.
If
left untreated, the pulp dies and becomes
infected, leading to the formation of
a dental abscess. The pain from a dental
abscess tends to be in response to pressure
on the tooth, and is throbbing and continuous.
What
causes toothache?
•
Dental decay.
• A fracture of the tooth.
• A cracked tooth. This may be
invisible and so can be difficult to
diagnose.
• Irritation of the pulp following
dental treatment. Regardless of how
well it is done, dental treatment and
the materials used to fill the tooth
can sometimes cause pain later.
• An exposed tooth root, which
can occur if the gums recede or are
damaged by over-vigorous brushing.
The following problems can also cause
symptoms similar to toothache, even
though the teeth themselves may be free
of disease:
• an abscess in the gum (lateral
periodontal abscess).
• ulceration of the gums (acute
ulcerative gingivitis).
• ulceration of the soft tissues
can sometimes be mistaken for toothache.
• inflammation of the gum around
a tooth which is in the process of growing/breaking
through (pericoronitis).
• inflammation of the sinuses
(sinusitis) can be mistaken for toothache
in the upper jaw.
Several other conditions may also cause
pain in the mouth - always seek advice
from your dentist if you have toothache.
It
is worth remembering that the nerves
supplying the teeth sometimes give the
wrong message to the brain. This means
that, although you feel pain in a particular
tooth, the problem may actually be in
a different tooth - even one located
in the opposite jaw.
How
can toothache be avoided?
The
best way to prevent toothache is to
keep your teeth and gums healthy. Try
to avoid cavities by reducing your intake
of sugary foods and drinks - have them
as an occasional treat, and at mealtimes
only.
Brush
your teeth twice daily using a toothpaste
containing fluoride. To get the most
benefit from the fluoride, do not rinse
the toothpaste away after brushing.
Clean
between your teeth using dental floss,
woodsticks or an inter-dental brush
according to your dentist's advice.
Visit your dentist regularly. This way,
problems can be diagnosed early and
your treatment will be more straightforward.
What
should I do if I have toothache?
If
you have toothache, seek immediate advice
from your dentist before the problem
becomes severe.
Pulpitis
is often reversible and, once your dentist
has identified and treated the problem
(usually with a simple filling), the
toothache will disappear. A dental abscess
will require extraction of the tooth
or a more complicated filling (root
canal treatment ) if the tooth is to
be saved.
However,
the following advice may be helpful
until you are able to see your dentist:
• avoid hot, cold or sweet stimuli.
This will help prevent pain from pulpitis.
• if the pain is prolonged and
severe, painkillers such as ibuprofen
(eg Nurofen) may provide some relief.
Remember even if the pain goes away,
without treatment it will eventually
become worse.
• if the pain is caused by exposed
root surfaces, toothpaste for sensitive
teeth, either used normally or rubbed
onto the exposed root, may be helpful.
• a hot saltwater mouthwash (a
teaspoon of salt to a cup of water)
used to thoroughly rinse the painful
area may help if the problem is caused
by a tooth erupting.
• a saltwater mouthwash can also
prevent infection if you have mouth
ulcers.
• visit your dentist as soon as
possible. This way any treatment will
be simple.
If
you require any more information on
EMERGENCY DENTISTRY IN SYDNEY
please do not hesitate to contact us.
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