Toothache | Emergency

Emergency

Are you in severe pain? Has an accident occurred? Are you unsure what to do next? What is needed now is swift but prudent action. Contact us for expert support.

Toothache – Causes, Prevention and Relief by Medication

A stabbing or pulling pain can be very uncomfortable. It is often impossible and also not advisable to ignore them. Toothache is a symptom that indicates a disease and is rarely harmless.

Causes of toothache

Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache. It is likely that excessive food containing sugar and carbohydrates in combination with inadequate oral hygiene has attacked the tooth enamel and created a hole in the tooth. Other reasons for pain in the teeth include:

• Gingivitis or gingivitis that has already progressed to periodontitis
• Infection or secretion of the tooth nerve. Tooth root inflammation is often caused by untreated tooth decay
• Termination of a tooth (e.g. due to a dental accident)
• Exposed tooth necks
• Teeth grinding / TMD (bruxism)
• Leaking and lost fillings
• Eruption of baby teeth in children
• The teeth are affected by decay

Other, less common reasons for toothache include:

• Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or maxillary sinuses
• Shingles
• Heart attack
• Tension, stress and depression

Home remedies for toothache

In the case of severe pain in the mouth area, cooling with ice can provide relief from the pain. Other effective and tried and tested home remedies are:

• Types of tea such as sage or chamomile tea can have an anti-inflammatory effect as a mouthwash
• dabbing crushed onion on affected areas can have an anti-inflammatory effect
• Dissolved salt in lukewarm water can act as an anti-infection mouthwash
• Clove and tea tree oil have a disinfecting and antiseptic effect on bacterial infections in the oral cavity

Medication for toothache

Painkillers are not a permanent solution, but should only be used to bridge the time until the dentist appointment. Toothache is an alarm sign that indicates a medical condition. We can recommend the following painkillers:

• CONTRA-PAIN^® Plus (Acetylsalicylic Acid and Caffeine)
• Aspirin^® (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Ponstan^® (mefenamic acid)
• Panadol^® (paracetamol)
• Felden^® (Piroxicam)
• Ibuprofen 400 (over-the-counter)
• Ibuprofen 600 (prescription only)

Throbbing and pulling toothache

Throbbing, pulsating or pulling toothache without exerting pressure on the tooth indicates a caries disease that has already reached the tooth nerve. The nerve becomes inflamed and swells. This swelling creates an excess pressure in the tooth, which is perceived as an unpleasant throbbing.

If you also have a fever, this indicates that your body is currently fighting against tooth decay. If the root is damaged, root canal treatment may need to be performed.

It is highly recommended to see your dentist. Good oral hygiene in combination with regular dental hygiene can prevent tooth decay.

Toothache when chewing

The most common cause of teeth sensitive to touch and pressure is exposed tooth necks due to receding gums or wear and tear of the tooth.

The gums retract during an inflammation such as gingivitis or periodontitis. You can counteract this preventively with good and regular oral hygiene in combination with regular dental care at your dentist.

The direct damage (holes and fractures) to the enamel can also lead to problems with eating. Purchasing dysfunctions such as bruxism are a common cause of tooth enamel destruction. If you suffer from bruxism, we recommend a TMD splint to protect your teeth.

If the painful tooth has already been treated with a crown or bridge, it is possible that these dentures no longer fit properly and cause chewing pain.

The causes of bite pain can vary greatly. For this reason, it is advisable to clarify the cause of the pain at the dentist within a few days.

Toothache after dental accident

A chipped or knocked out tooth can cause significant pain.

It is important that you visit the dentist or the dental emergency service immediately, because knocked-out teeth can even be saved if you react quickly. For this purpose, be sure to take the tooth with you to the practice.

Teeth sensitive to cold and heat

Pain reactions to temperature stimuli (e.g. during hot drinks or cold foods such as ice cream) can be due to exposed tooth necks. The causes of cold-sensitive teeth are often exposed tooth necks, which are crisscrossed by very fine dentinal tubules and thus transmit the stimuli to the tooth nerve. Pain reactions to hot or cold foods should therefore always be examined by a dentist.

Exposed tooth necks are often a symptom of gingivitis, which can be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular prophylaxis.

Afraid of the dentist? Painless and sensitive treatment

Toothache is unpleasant and can develop into a serious condition if not treated in time. There are many people who are afraid of the dentist and let their teeth deteriorate more and more. This will only make the situation more difficult and the treatment more complicated in the future. The practice of Dr. Nina van Sprundel specializes in the use of painless treatment methods. Many anxiety patients were able to overcome their fear in the past and now come regularly to the prophylaxis appointments. Our goal is to break the cycle of fear together with you and not to postpone treatment any longer.

Information for Anxiety Patients