Toothache and its symptoms

In general, pain is a protective response that ranges from minor sensitivity to severe pain and informs the body that something is wrong. Tooth pain, which is caused by a reaction of the nerves within the pulp chamber of a tooth, with severity depending on the type and degree of the stimulus. What follows are some examples of symptoms you may be experiencing and their possible causes.

Symptom: Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids.

Possible problem: If the discomfort lasts only a few minutes, tenderness is generally not a sign of a serious problem. It can be caused by, a small cavity in a tooth, a loose filling, or an exposed root surface, resulting from receding gums and possibly toothbrush abrasion. .

What to do: If the root surface is sensitive, keep it clean and free of dental plaque. Use a soft toothbrush, cleaning very gently at the gum line. Try to use toothpaste that contains fluoride for sensitive teeth. You can even try using toothpaste as an ointment.
If sensitivity persists, consult yourdentist.

Symptom: Sensitivity to hot or cold foods after dental treatment.



Possible problem: Dental treatment can cause tooth sensitivity due to inflammation of the dental pulp tissues.

What to do: This sensitivity can last a few days, however if the cavity has recently been removed or a filling or crown has been placed, a tooth may take a week or two to settle. You can take mild pain relievers such as paracetamol. If pain persists or worsens, see yourdentist.



Symptom: Sharp pain when biting into food.



Possible problem: cavities, a loose filling and / or a broken tooth are possible causes.

What to do: Consult adentistto diagnose the problem before the pain worsens. The decay will need to be removed, and the loose filling replaced by your dentist. If the pain is caused by pulp tissue damage, yourdentistcan refer you to an endodontist

Symptoms: Persistent pain after eating hot or cold foods and liquids.



Possible problem: This probably means that the nerve is inflamed and/or dead, and may be irreversible, usually as a result of deep decay or physical trauma.

What to do: See your dentist or endodontist to diagnose the problem before the pain becomes severe due to the development of an abscess. The tooth likely to need aroot canalto remove dead pulp tissue to save the tooth.



Symptom: Dull pain and pressure in the upper teeth and sinus area of one or both sides.



Possible problem: Pain felt in the sinus area of the face is often associated with the upper back teeth, since they share the same nerves. The source of this "referred" pain can therefore be difficult to determine. Therefore, sinus pain can feel like tooth pain, and vice versa. That's why nasal congestion from a cold or the flu can cause pain in your upper teeth. In addition, it is also important to determine if clenching or grinding is a factor, since they too cause similar symptoms.

What to do: See your dentist orendodontistto find out if the symptoms are related to the teeth, if not, you may need to see your doctor.

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Symptom: Sharp, constant pain in one area, but it's hard to tell exactly which tooth is causing the problem.

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Potential problem: Pulp tissue inside a tooth with acute infection, inflammation, and death. This is usually in response to nerve damage.

What to do: See your dentist or endodontist immediately for a complete exam. Once the problematic tooth is isolated, a root canal treatment is performed to remove the infected pulp tissue. If left untreated, the pain can get worse.
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Symptom: Constant pain and severe pressure, inflammation of the gum and sensitivity to touch.



Possible problem: A tooth may have an infection/abscess that has spread from the pulp into the surrounding periodontal  tissues and bone.

What to do: See your dentist or endodontist immediately. This type of treatment is likely to be required.