Toothache: how to define and explain this dental pain?

Toothache: how to define and explain this dental pain?

Toothache is a severe tooth pain. It is the consequence of pulpitis, an inflammation of the internal part of the tooth. Solutions exist to relieve toothache.

What is toothache?

Toothache is a severe tooth pain. It is due to pulpitis, an inflammation of the dental pulp, which corresponds to the internal part of the tooth. The dental pulp consists of different nerves and vessels, which explains the occurrence of very intense pain during a toothache.

What are the causes of pulpitis?

At the origin of toothache, pulpitis can have several origins including:

  • A tooth decay : Tooth decay remains one of the most common causes of toothache. It results in the destruction of the hard tissues of the tooth caused by enzymes or acids produced by bacteria. When decay sets in and grows, it can attack the pulp and cause pulpitis.
  • Dental trauma: Certain dental shocks or traumas can cause irritation of the pulp.

What are the risk factors?

Several factors can increase the risk of toothache. These factors are in particular those which favor the onset and development of dental caries, including:

  • poor oral hygiene ;
  • Alcohol consumption ;
  • consumption of sweet products ;
  • smoking ;
  • the stress ;
  • a change in eating habits.

Who is concerned ?

Toothache can occur at any age. It can manifest itself in both milk teeth and permanent teeth.

What is the risk of complications?

Although it can be transient, toothache can also persist and become more severe. That is why it is important to treat the cause of dental pain to prevent complications from occurring. As such, there are often two types of pulpitis causing toothache:

  • Reversible pulpitis: This inflammation is mild and is accompanied by sharp dental pain. Removing the irritant is usually enough to make the pain go away.
  • The irreversible pulpit: This inflammation can evolve and become more complicated. In particular, pulp necrosis may appear.

How to recognize a toothache?

A toothache is a very severe tooth pain. It may be felt as a dull, throbbing, or throbbing pain in the affected tooth.


Depending on the case, toothache can be transient or continuous. Some associated symptoms can also increase or prolong the pain, such as:

  • la sensitivity to hot and cold ;
  • la sensitivity to sweet products.

How to calm a toothache?

The first step in relieving toothache is to treat pulpitis, the inflammation that causes dental pain. Analgesics can nevertheless be recommended to calm the pain.

How to treat a toothache?

Treatment for toothache involves treating pulpitis. Depending on the origin, severity and course of this inflammation, treatment may require:

  • the use of certain medications, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories;
  • performing dental surgery to treat trauma or tooth decay.

How to avoid toothache?

The occurrence of toothache can be avoided by limiting the risk factors. In particular, it is advisable to adopt good eating habits, a good hygiene of life and an adapted oral hygiene. This requires in particular:

  • effective tooth brushing after each meal ;
  • regular medical appointments at the dentist.

To prevent the development of toothache, a dentist should also be consulted if mild toothache occurs.

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