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If you have a severe toothache, swelling or another dental emergency, it’s important to contact a dentist straight away. They can advise you about how to treat your symptoms at home to relieve pain and discomfort and avoid making the problem worse. If you need urgent care, they will recommend booking an emergency appointment at your nearest dental clinic.
Common Causes of Dental Pain and Treatment, unbearable tooth nerve pain
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Common Causes of Dental Pain and Treatment, unbearable tooth nerve pain
Common Causes of Dental Pain and Treatment, unbearable tooth nerve pai
If you can’t make it to the dentist, or your situation isn’t urgent, these general home remedies for toothaches and other dental problems could help to ease your symptoms before your visit. Remember, that this is general advice and is no substitute for professional, personalised advice. Since every situation is unique, your dentist is the best person to give you this.
What is the Fastest Way to Treat a Toothache and Other Dental Pain at Home?
The obvious solution to any type of dental pain is to see a dentist as soon as possible. When you can’t get to your dentist right away, however, you may have to endure some amount of discomfort in the meantime. The following tips can help you minimize a toothache while you wait for your dental appointment.
When to See a Dentist
While your number one goal might be centered on eliminating tooth pain as quickly as possible, you need to consider the potential cause first. When our bodies experience pain, they are sending warning signals to our brains, telling them that something isn’t right. If you have oral pain, it’s generally a sign you have a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
OTHER CAUSES OF DENTAL PAIN
WISDOM TOOTH RELATED PAIN
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to develop and usually start to erupt in the late teens. Because they are the very last teeth, they very commonly become impacted (stuck or wedged between jaw bone, gum and the adjacent tooth). Toothache or pain from the wisdom tooth area is one of the most common emergency problems that we see.
Over 90% of the population has “wisdom tooth” problems due to lack of room for proper eruption. Wisdom Tooth Problems encompass many issues including:
Pain Constant pressure in this sensitive area frequently causes neuralgia-like pain that can radiate to the ear, side of the face and upper teeth and spread to the other lower teeth as well. Headaches are commonly associated with impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth.
Destruction of the Next Tooth -pressure from the wisdom teeth frequently erodes or dissolves away healthy tooth structure, resulting in pain and tooth loss
Cysts…fluid -filled sacks can form and enlarge around impacted wisdom teeth. These cysts can dissolve jawbone and teeth-they commonly become infected and cause serious pain
How to get rid of wisdom tooth pain – Home remedies for wisdom tooth pain relief
- Of course, if you are experiencing slight discomfort at the back of your mouth but aren’t sure exactly where it’s coming from, then you might want to hold off visiting your dentist.
- One course of action that might alleviate the discomfort is to take over-the-counter painkillers. But while they can help you get on with your day, it’s unlikely to be a permanent solution.
- If the discomfort continues for longer than a few days or worsens, then it’s probably best to pay a visit to your local dentist who can take a closer look to see exactly what’s happening.
- Another home remedy is to regularly rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This may help to eradicate any bacteria located in the mouth which may otherwise be causing an infection.
- Alternatively, It could be that your third molars are coming through okay, but the discomfort felt is just the natural final stages of your dental progression. If this is the case, then applying pieces of ice to the area may be enough to numb and reduce any swelling sufficiently to alleviate any temporary wisdom tooth pain.
Professional help for wisdom tooth pain relief
If none of these remedies has worked, or if the pain is recurring, then you should book a visit to your chosen dentist.
They’ll be able to investigate the cause of all your wisdom tooth pain and from this will develop a personalised treatment plan to help.
GUM INFECTION
– PERIODONTAL ABSCESS
A periodontal abscess is a pocket of pus in the tissues of the gum. It looks like a small red ball pushing out of the swollen gum.
An abscess can occur with serious gum disease (periodontitis), which causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. This leaves deep pockets where bacteria can grow. If tartar builds up too much, or if food gets stuck in the pockets, pus forms. If the pus can’t drain, it forms an abscess.
An abscess can cause a fever and a throbbing pain in nearby teeth. It can also cause long-term damage to your teeth and gums. The teeth may get loose and fall out. The infection can spread to another part of your body.
Gum abscess symptoms:
One of the most significant symptoms of a gum abscess is pain, which often appears suddenly, and is characterised by being a deep, throbbing pain. Other symptoms include:
- The surface of the gums being shiny due to the mucosa stretching over the abscess
- Redness
- Swelling
- Increasing pressure in the affected area, as pus forms
- A bad taste in the mouth and a bad smell may be perceived as pus drains
A gum abscess is a painful condition that can lead to serious complications. It’s important to recognize the signs of a gum abscess and get medical treatment if you develop one.
How can you care for Gum infection or abscess at home?
- Reduce pain and swelling in your face and jaw by putting ice or a cold pack on the outside of your cheek for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Take your antibiotics as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
Will a periodontal abscess go away?
.Dental abscesses are often painful, but not always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It’s important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own.
CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS (Advanced Gum Infection)
Periodontitis, or is an advanced gum disease, is a common infection that damages the soft tissue and bone supporting the tooth. Without treatment, the alveolar bone around the teeth is slowly and progressively lost.
The name “periodontitis” means “means inflammation around the tooth.” Microorganisms, such as bacteria, stick to the surface of the tooth and in the pockets surrounding the tooth, and they multiply. As the immune system reacts and toxins are released, inflammation occurs.
Untreated periodontitis will eventually result in tooth loss. It may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other health problems.
Symptoms of Periodontitis
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fit snugly around teeth. Signs and symptoms of periodontitis can include:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Bright red, dusky red or purplish gums
- Gums that feel tender when touched
- Gums that bleed easily
- Pink-tinged toothbrush after brushing
- Spitting out blood when brushing or flossing your teeth
- Bad breath
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Loose teeth or loss of teeth
- Painful chewing
- New spaces developing between your teeth
- Gums that pull away from your teeth (recede), making your teeth look longer than normal
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Risk factors of Periodontitis
Gum disease is more likely to become severe if there are high levels of aggressive bacteria, and if the person’s immune system is weakened.
The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of periodontitis:
- Smoking: Regular smokers are more likely to develop gum problems. Smoking also undermines the efficacy of treatment. Ninety percent of cases that do not respond to treatment are in smokers.
- Hormonal changes in females: Hormonal changes occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. These changes increase the risk of developing gum disease.
- Diabetes: Those living with diabetes have a higher incidence of gum disease than other individuals of the same age.
- AIDS: Gum disease is more common in people with AIDS.
- Cancer: Cancer and some cancer treatments can increase the chance of gum disease.
- Drugs: Medications such as antihypertensive drugs or vasodilating agents—which relax and dilate the blood vessels—immunotherapy drugs, and medications that reduce saliva can all increase the chance of gum disease.
- Genetic factors: Some people are more susceptible to gum disease due to genetic factors.
See your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease because the sooner you treat it the better.
Professional Treatment of Periodontitis
The main aim of treatment is to clean out bacteria from the pockets around the teeth and prevent further destruction of bone and tissue. The number and types of treatment will vary, depending on the extent of the gum disease. Any type of treatment requires that the patient keep up good daily care at home. The dentist may also suggest changing certain behaviours, such as quitting smoking, as a way to improve your treatment results.
Medications
A number of medicated mouthwashes and other treatments are available.
Prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse, such as chlorhexidine: This is used to control bacteria when treating gum disease and after surgery. Patients use it as they would a regular mouthwash.
Antiseptic chip: This is a small piece of gelatin that is filled with chlorhexidine. It controls bacteria and reduces periodontal pocket size. It is placed in the pockets after root planning. The medication is slowly resealed over time.
Antibiotic gel: This gel contains doxycycline, an antibiotic. It helps control bacteria and shrink periodontal pockets. It is placed in the pockets after scaling and root planing. It is a slow-release medication.
Antibiotic microspheres: Very small particles containing minocycline, an antibiotic, are placed into pockets after scaling and root planing. This slow-release medication is also used to control bacteria and reduce periodontal pocket size.
Enzyme suppressant: This keeps destructive enzymes in check with a low-dose of doxycycline. Some enzymes can break down gum tissue, but this medication can delay the body’s enzyme response. It is taken orally, as a pill, and it is used with scaling and root planing.
Oral antibiotics: Available in capsule or tablet form, these are taken orally. They are used short-term for the treatment of acute or locally persistent periodontal infection.
Surgical interventions in Advanced periodontitis
If good oral hygiene and non-surgical treatments are not effective, surgical intervention may be needed.
Options include:
Flap surgery:
The healthcare professional performs flap surgery to remove calculus in deep pockets, or to reduce the pocket so that keeping it clean is easier. The gums are lifted back, and the tarter is removed. The gums are then sutured back into place, so they fit closely to the tooth. After surgery, the gums will heal and fit tightly around the tooth. In some cases, the teeth may appear longer than before.
Bone and tissue grafts:
This procedure helps regenerate bone or gum tissue that has been destroyed. New natural or synthetic bone is placed where the bone was lost, promoting bone growth.
Home Remedies for Periodontitis or Advanced Gum Infection
The effects of periodontitis can be stopped through regular check-ups and treatment and continued good oral hygiene. This is also a part of treatment once an infection occurs.
It is important to:
- Brush the teeth with a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste at least twice a day, carefully cleaning the chewing surfaces and the sides of the teeth.
- Use floss or an interdental brush every day to clean between the teeth, in the spaces that the brush cannot reach. Dental floss can clean small gaps, but a dental brush is useful for a larger space.
- Take extra care when cleaning around uneven surfaces, for example, closely-packed teeth, crooked teeth, crowns, dentures, fillings, and so on.
- After brushing, use an antibacterial mouthwash to help prevent bacteria from growing and to reduce any inflammatory reaction in the mouth.
Home treatment for gum pain?
If your only symptom is gum pain, try these treatments at home:
Saltwater rinse
- Warm 1 cup of water on the stove (not to boiling — just warm) and pour into a cool glass. Add 1 tsp. salt to the warm water and mix well.
- Swish the mixture in your mouth, and then spit it out into a sink when finished (don’t swallow).
- The salt will help prevent the growth of bacteria in your mouth and decrease the bacteria on your gums, which may be causing the swelling.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water at least twice a day until the swelling subsides.
Compress
Try either a hot or cold compress to help reduce pain.
- Heat water to a tolerable temperature (not boiling). Soak a clean cloth in the hot water, and then squeeze out the excess.
- Gently press the warm, damp cloth to your face near the area where your gum pain is occurring (not directly to your gums).
- Wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth and apply it in the same way as above.
- Use either method until your pain subsides, or alternate between hot and cold until any swelling and inflammation die down.
Herbal poultice
Certain herbs and spices can be turned into temporary home remedies for gum inflammation and pain until you see a professional help.
Clove powder and Spilanthes are both analgesic (pain-relieving) herbs. They have been used as alternative oral pain relievers for a long time. An anti-inflammatory powdered herb like turmeric may also help.
To use this treatment, mix the powdered herb of choice with a little warm water until you have a paste.
Apply the paste directly to your gums until pain subsides, and then rinse your mouth with water.
Teabags
- Take a fresh bag of tea and steep it in boiling water for up to 5 minutes, as you do to make tea. When the tea bag is cool enough to touch, apply it directly to painful gums for at least 5 minutes.
- Choose a tea high in astringent tannins, such as black tea, green tea, or even hibiscus tea. Or choose a tea that contains an anti-inflammatory herb — ginger and chamomile are popular examples.
- The anti-inflammatory herbs will soothe, while the tannins will absorb anything that irritates the gums.
Oral anaesthetic gels
Medicated oral gels are available on the market. These contain natural and synthetic compounds that help numb and treat gum pain. Some even include pain-numbing compounds from botanicals like clove or Spilanthes.
Common over-the-counter brands include Orajel and Anbesol. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
Over-the-counter pain killers
Simple common painkillers and NSAIDs, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil) can help in a pinch.
If pain is stubborn and topical methods above (or others) aren’t working, give these options a try. You can use them on their own or in addition to topical home treatments.
For dosage amounts, follow directions on the bottle labels.
ACUTE NECROTISING ULCERATIVE GINGIVITIS
Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis is a rapidly progressive infection of the gingival tissues that causes ulceration of the interdental gingival papillae. It can lead to extensive destruction. Usually young to middle-aged people with reduced resistance to infection are affected. Males are more likely to be affected than females, with stress, smoking and poor oral hygiene being predisposing factors. Halitosis, spontaneous gingival bleeding, and a `punched-out’ appearance of the interdental papillae are all important signs.
The patients quite often complain of severe gingival tenderness with pain on eating and tooth brushing. The pain is dull, deep-seated and constant. The gums can bleed spontaneously and there is also an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Treatment
As there is an acute infection with mainly anaerobic bacteria, treatment follows surgical principles and includes superficial debridement, use of chlorhexidine mouthwashes and a course of metronidazole tablets. Treating the contributing factors should prevent a recurrence.
DRY SOCKET
A dull throbbing pain develops two to four days after mandibular tooth extraction. It rarely occurs in the maxilla. Smoking is a major predisposing factor as it reduces the blood supply. The tissue around the socket is very tender and white necrotic bone is exposed in the socket. Halitosis is very common.
Symptoms of dry socket include:
- severe pain, which may radiate from the socket to your ear, eye, temple, or neck
- seeing an empty socket
- visible bone in the socket
- bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
The exact causes of dry socket still need more research.
The most common causes of Dry Socket are:
- bacterial infection
- difficult or complicated extractions, such as an impacted wisdom tooth
- trauma at the surgical site
You’re most at risk of developing dry socket if you:
- smoke
- take oral contraceptives
- don’t follow proper wound care
Home Remedies for Dry Socket
Warm Salt water
Even if your oral surgeon gives you medication, they’ll also encourage you to rinse the affected area with warm salt water several times a day. It can help eliminate bacteria and reduce or prevent further infection.
The Mayo Clinic recommends dissolving ½ teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Swish this around in your mouth for a minute, or use it to flush out the dry socket with a syringe your surgeon gives you. Do this at least three times per day or after meals.
Cold and Heat Therapy
For the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction, use cold packs against your face for fifteen minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Afterwards, you can use heat in the form of warm washcloths to manage pain.
Heat will likely be most beneficial for soothing pain caused by dry socket, though cold can help numb your nerves more efficiently. Test each and see what works best for you. Always use warm instead of hot, and place it against the cheek where you’re feeling pain.
Clove Oil
Clove oil contains eugenol, which has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It can soothe pain and prevent infections from developing or advancing. Because of this, clove oil is sometimes used in professional dry socket pastes. Clove oil can have side effects, so consult your dentist or oral surgeon before using this as a home remedy.
These side effects may include:
- rash or skin irritation
- sore gums
- swollen gums
You can add clove oil to sterile gauze and apply it directly to the affected area. Only keep the gauze on for 20 minutes at a time until you’re sure that you won’t experience side effects.
Black Tea Bags
Black tea contains tannic acid, which acts as a natural antibacterial agent while also reducing both swelling and pain.
- To use this remedy, immerse a tea bag in a cup of boiling water for five minutes. Remove it and squeeze the excess water out after it’s cooled. The tea bag should be cooled for it to be effective. Sticking it in the refrigerator, not the freezer, can allow it to act as a cold compress.
- You can gently bite down on the tea bag to keep it in place for about 15 minutes. Rinse your mouth with the remaining cool tea after the 15 minutes are over.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile has antioxidant properties which promote healing. Its anti-inflammatory benefits can immediately help soothe swelling and pain caused by dry socket. Most grocery stores will have it in stock if you don’t have it in your cupboard already.
You can utilize chamomile tea bags like black tea. Place the tea bag in boiling water for five minutes before removing it and letting it cool. Apply the tea bag to the affected area for 15 minutes. If this is uncomfortable, you can also sip on the tea once it’s cooled.
Over-the-Counter NSAIDs
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can be effective at reducing both pain and swelling. They won’t be much help at treating or preventing an infection, but they can relieve pain until you can get to your doctor.
Talk with or call your dentist before you take any OTC medications. You should not take NSAIDs or any other OTC medication if you’re taking prescribed pain medications after your extraction. If you see your dentist for dry socket treatment, let them know what medications you’ve taken.
Avoid tobacco and other irritants
Smoking and other tobacco use increase your risk of developing dry socket and can also make it more difficult to treat. You should avoid all smoking and tobacco products while you’re treating and recovering from dry socket.
Other irritating foods and beverages should also be avoided, even if they’re liquid. Spicy foods and alcoholic beverages can increase discomfort. You should be eating soft foods to avoid opening or getting debris trapped in the socket.
Risk of Dry Socket
- Dry socket can be extremely painful, so it would be difficult to ignore. However, if it goes untreated, it could result in additional complications.
- The most common complication is delayed healing. Additional medicated dressings and careful attention will be needed to make sure the dry socket heals properly.
- Your socket can also become infected, and if left untreated, the infection can spread to your bone. This may require oral or intravenous antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading further.
- There are few risks to utilizing home remedies to treat dry socket outside of allergic reactions, but you should talk with your doctor first to make sure these treatments are safe for you.
- While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with your doctor before you begin using essential oils and use caution when choosing a quality brand. You should also always do a test patch before using.
Dry socket can be excruciatingly painful. As soon as symptoms arise, you should start treatment. While you’re waiting to see your oral surgeon, you can utilize home remedies detailed above to manage your symptoms and pain.
Fortunately, while dry socket is painful, it responds quickly to treatment. Your symptoms should start decreasing soon after treatment, and they should be entirely gone in three to four days. If not, make another appointment with your dentist to look for a better solution.
Professional Treatment of Dry Socket
The area will be irrigated thoroughly with warm saline solution. If loose bone is present, local anaesthesia may be necessary to allow thorough cleaning of the socket. Patients should be will how to irrigate the area and told to do this regularly. Analgesics are indicated, but pain may persist for several days.
SINUSITIS
This is caused by infection of the maxillary sinus, usually following an upper respiratory tract infection. However, there can be a history of recent tooth extraction leading to an oro-antral fistula. Patients usually complain of unilateral dull pain in all posterior upper teeth. All these teeth may be tender to percussion, but they will respond to a pulp sensitivity test. There are usually no other dental signs.
The pain tends to be increased on lying down or bending over. There is often a feeling of `fullness’ on the affected side. The pain is usually unilateral, dull, throbbing and continuous. Quite often the patient feels unwell generally and feverish.
Treatment
Pain originating from the sinus arises mainly from pressure. Decongestants can help sinus drainage. Antibiotics probably have only a minor role in mild cases. Referral to an otorhinolaryngologist for endoscopic sinus surgery may be indicated in chronic cases.
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