TOOTH ACHE

DENTAL PAIN

Dental pain or tooth pain or tooth ache is a pain which is triggered when the nerve ending of a tooth in the root canal is disturbed or irritated by an external or internal stimuli.

ORIGIN

It originates from the portion called "PULP in the PULP CHAMBER" which is the thrid and inner most portion of the TOOTH.
PULP consist of blood vessels and numerous nerve bundles in which the nerve endings are very senisitve to pain stimuli.
The inflammation from pulp will lead to decaying of the pulp and leads to tissue necrosis and infections.

CAUSES
There are many causes for Dental pain and the majority is due to Infections(DECAY) and Injury (mainly caused by tooth brush trauma and road traffic incident).
. Dental fillings(deep or damaged)
. Cracked tooth
. Gum disease and infections also can cause tooth ache.
. Impacted wisdom tooth
. Sinusitis
. After debtal proceudre(extraction,surgery,cleaning and polishing)
. Jaw problems(TMJ disorders)

SYMPTOMS and SIGNS

Main symptom is PAIN while taking HOT or COLD stimuli.

Pain last for seconds to hours or to days and weeks if untreated.
If left untreated the pain can radiate further to all over the face area including ear and jaws.
Masticatory pain or pain while eating food due to food lodgement in between the teeth is another cause for the pain(mostly neglected till it gets severe).
Swelling around the particular area inside the mouth or outside in a particular area or diffused in major portion(in severe case)
Bleeding around the tooth or surrounding areas.

DIAGNOSIS

1. Using a Dental probe and mirror
2. Cold ice(ICE spray)
3. Xray to locate the tooth in question along with gutta percha tracking.

TOOTH ACHE SHOULD BE TREATED WHEN;

1. the pain is not reieved by any home remedy or any previous medication used.
2. when there is sudden pain and swelling of the face near the tooth area which indicates infection and needs immediate dental access.
3. tooth injury by road traffic accident or sports injury causing the tooth to break or get lodged inside the socket.
4. after few days of extraction of a tooth and the pain is still present.
5. Pain occurs every time during eating food.
6. Pain while opening your mouth wide or if you get clicking sound near the ear area or difficulty to open the mouth.
7. Wisdom teeth is another major cause which gives pain by inserting pressure on the adjuscdent tooth and is resolved mainly by the removal of it.

TREATMENT
The main treatment of a dental pain is to treat the cause which hv initiated the pain
IT INCLUDES:

1. Tooth restoration if there is decay or faulty restoration
2. Root Canal Treatment for infectious tooth followed by antibiotics to protect the tooth from further deterioration.
3. Extraction or removal of the teeth which is unrestorable and beyond the limits of saving the particular tooth or teeth.
4. Treating the underlying gum disease with oral prophylaxis and periodontal therapy.

PREVENTION

1. HEALTHY DIET
2. GOOD BRUSHING TECHNIQUE(brush mandatory two times a day).
3. GARGLE WITH WATER AFTER EVERY MEALS and SNACKS including AFTER TAKING DRINKS LIKE TEA,COFFEE.
4. FLOURIDATED PASTE UNDER THE DENTIST SUPERVISION.
5. DENTAL CHECK UP EVERY 6 MONTHS.
6. QUIT HABITS LIKE SMOKING AND CHEWING TOBACCO.
7. USE PROTECTIVE WEAR DURING SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
8. KEEP THE DENTURES CLEAN ALWAYS.