An acute toothache. What do I do if I have a severe toothache?
A toothache can be completely unpredictable and sometimes it catches you unawares at the most inopportune times, e.g. when you are on a business trip or holiday. It is not always possible to visit the dentist immediately, but the discomfort and acute pain are almost unbearable. In this case, the main task is to find a way to relieve the discomfort and try to schedule a visit to the dentist promptly.
Why does an acute toothache occur?
Pain is almost always a symptom of an inflammatory process and does not just appear. One of the most likely causes is pulpitis, which often follows untreated decay. In this disease, the pulp – the soft tissue that fills the tooth cavity and that contains many nerve endings – becomes inflamed. This causes pain, which is usually worse when the patient is lying down, so it is often at night when acute pain occurs. With pulpitis, the pain is sharp, and throbbing and can be radiating not only to neighboring teeth but even to the ear or throat.
A sharp toothache is also often a companion of periodontitis, i.e. inflammation of the apex of the tooth root. In addition to pain, periodontitis may also cause swelling of the gums, cysts, and pus-like discharge. Sharp pain may be caused by mechanical trauma to the tooth or the surrounding tissue. Hyperaesthesia or hypersensitivity of the teeth may also cause pain that subsides quite quickly, but it is very uncomfortable.
What are the dangers of acute toothache?
If you dull the pain yourself, it will only bring relief for a while, and then it will return again and again. The risk is that the pain will become chronic c, and the inflammation will be neglected and leading to serious health problems. It is quite realistic to lose a tooth if the condition itself, which triggers an attack of acute pain, is not treated. The earlier you make an appointment with a specialist, the easier and quicker the treatment will be.
How to relieve a toothache at home
Of course, the best option is not to self-treat, but to seek help from a dentist, who will diagnose, determine the cause of pain and propose a plan to solve the problem. However, we understand that it is not always possible to visit the doctor straight away, so you can try to relieve the pain with folk remedies before the visit.
These include:
Gargling with herbs: for example, sage, oregano, oak bark, chamomile, and calendula works well;
Pain relief medication. Remember that it must be done with the utmost caution, do not use strong drugs, especially antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription;
Massage of certain points on the body, particularly on the hands between the index and thumbs;
Massage with compresses (not hot – warming a sore tooth is strongly discouraged).
In order not to think about the pain you could try to distract yourself by focusing on a hobby or a job. Lying down is not recommended as lying down may only increase the pressure on the sore tooth. If the pain is provoked by external conditions, e.g. temperature changes in the mouth (hot tea after the ice cream is a classic), the pain should be eliminated as soon as possible ache chewing on the affected side should be avoided.
Remember that self-treatment can be fraught with serious consequences and all home remedies only reduce the symptoms, but do not fight the disease itself that has caused the pain. Therefore, the painful sensation is bound to return if you do not visit your dentist in time.
Still, have questions? Ask us!
We are open seven days a week, which means that even if your toothache is sudden, you can always call Mediline Turkey to make an appointment – we will find a suitable time to relieve your acute discomfort and then eliminate the cause of your pain.
