Teeth and tooth pain
Teeth are the hardest substance in our bodies. The main function of the teeth is to break down food by cutting them, thus enabling easier swallowing and digestion.
The teeth in the mouth are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Tooth pain is caused when disturbance or irritation in the nerves present in the root of the tooth or surrounding the tooth. Tooth pain cannot be ignored easily.
What causes tooth pain?
Tooth pain occurs due to the inflammation of the centre part of the tooth called the pulp. The pulp has nerve endings that are sensitive to pain.
Dental infections, injuries tooth decay are the most common causes of tooth pain.
Sometimes tooth pain may also occur due to treatment when there is an extraction. Extraction is when a tooth is pulled out.
Bacteria that grow inside the mouth can also contribute to gum diseases tooth decay which may also cause pain.
How can we identify toothache?
Toothache occurs in the teeth. Jaw pain is also a common symptom. The pain may be mild or severe, and the teeth would react to hot and cold stimuli. Some of the other symptoms include:
- Moderate to severe pain in the teeth or the jaw
- Headaches or migraines
- Heat sensitivity to cold or heat
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling in the mouth
- Bad breath in some cases.
- Lack of proper functioning taste buds.
All these are common symptoms often associated with tooth pain and decay. Proper medical assistance is required if there is any disturbance in the teeth.
Can we cure tooth pain at home?
Firstly, we need to understand that if we have tooth pain, it is important to know the cause of the discomfort.
After figuring out the cause, we can determine how to relieve the pain or its symptoms.
Consulting medical advice is always recommended, but there are a few ways to contain the pain naturally at the comfort of our home. They are;
Salt water rinse
Saltwater rinse. A salt water rinse is an effective treatment. It is usually the first-line treatment followed by most people at home. Saltwater rinse is effective because salt is a natural disinfectant. Rinsing our mouth with salt would help lose the particles stuck between the teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide wash
Using a mouth wash made of hydrogen peroxide compound would help relieve the pain and inflammation. This is possible because the bacteria present in our mouth is killed by the hydrogen peroxide, reducing the gums bleeding.
Ice or cold compress
Using ice or cold compress can decrease the swelling and inflammation caused by tooth pain. This would also help stop bleeding. The coldness of the ice would restrict the blood circulation, numb the jaws and kill the pain.
Garlic
Right from its origin, Garlic is known for its medical properties. Garlic is also loaded with antibacterial properties, killing harmful bacteria that cause plague. It is known for its natural pain-relieving properties.
Peppermints
Peppermints can play a very important role in numbing pain caused by bacteria. The peppermint tea bags can be used as a pain reliever and smooth sensitive gums.
Cloves
Cloves have been used to treat tooth pain for hundreds of years. The oil present in the clove acts as a natural antiseptic and helps ease the pain and reduce inflammation.
Thyme
Similar to the clove, Thyme has powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which would help fight against toothache. Thyme can also fight against tooth decay.
Elevation
Alleviated sleeping position or having an extra pillow would slightly improve the condition as blood circulation in the head may cause more pain.
Toothache plant
The toothache plant is a type of plant grown all over the world. The oil extract from the plant is used to relieve dental pain. The name in itself is soothing for a patient with a toothache.
Vanilla extract
A combination of alcohol and antioxidants is found in a vanilla extract. Vanilla extract would help numb the pain and also help in healing. The alcohol does the numbing, and the antioxidants do the healing. Moreover, it has a pleasing smell.
- Some of the traditional methods of healing, like papaya leaves, tobacco leaves, eucalyptus leaves, and guava leaves, may also work. But there is no scientific backing, and it is unclear how well they work.
- Avoiding hot or cold foods as they might trigger sensitivity.
- Practising proper oral care is mandatory.
Consulting a medical professional is necessary. The dentist may recommend a few medications or might even perform surgery depending on the seriousness of the problem.
When to seek medical assistance?
Regular trips to the dentist are mandatory. If these natural remedies do not work, cavities tend to worsen over time if left untreated.
We must consider visiting a dentist if
- The Pain does not subside.
- Pain after a tooth extracted
- Affected with fever
- Swelling of the gums
- Heavy bleeding
- Having trouble swallowing food.
- If any of the symptoms don’t subside and it gets worse.
Summing up
It is important to have good dental hygiene. Routine checkups with the dentist and having proper knowledge of knowing what to do is necessary. Most of the problems can be avoided with regular care.
A good cleaning of the teeth that removes tiny food particles stuck in the gap should eliminate or minimize tooth-related problems.
Smoking would have an adverse effect and make dental conditions bad. It is advisable to quit smoking.
Following a good dental hygiene routine such as brushing, flossing and rinsing with antiseptic mouthwashes would help prevent dental problems.
Treatment is required, and proper diagnosis is needed when the conditions or the symptoms don’t seem usual.
