Toothache, or dental pain, can be very disturbing and greatly impact daily life. Whether it is caused by tooth decay, infection or another condition, it is important to find the cause in order to relieve it as quickly as possible.

Toothache is a toothache. Dental pain is a common problem. It can appear suddenly or occur gradually. It is often the consequence of damage to a tooth or to neighboring tissues (gums, tongue, jaws, etc.). It can also be a hypersensitivity of the tooth: appearance of pain on contact with hot or cold (passage of air in the mouth, cold water, hot food, but also sweet or acidic); or painful sensation to the touch (sensitivity when brushing teeth). Toothache can also be pressure pain, that is, pain triggered by contact between two teeth.

Toothache can be a simple discomfort at the dental level or even lead to significant pain, acute or chronic. This pain can be occasional or constant. It can become throbbing and radiate to the rest of the head. Toothache can become a problem every day.

If the pain in the teeth can impact the quality of life, it is because, contrary to what one might think, the tooth is a place of the body rich in nerves and very vascularized. The tooth, also called the odontum, is made up of three elements: enamel, dentin and pulp. Enamel is the hard substance that surrounds the tooth. Dentin is located under the enamel. It contains many nerve endings including those coming from the maxillary and mandibular nerves. Under the dentin, the dental pulp has a strong vascularization. Around the tooth is the periodontium which supports the tooth. Made up of different tissues, it can also be the cause of possible pain.

The main cause of toothache is cavities. Cavities are caused by microbial growth in the enamel and dentin. It causes inflammation of the pulp of the tooth. The pain can range from increased tooth sensitivity, spontaneous severe pain (toothache), to severe pain of great intensity in the area where the decay is located. It can spread to the ears, jaws or sinuses. The same type of pain can be caused by dental trauma such as a crack, abrasion or fracture.

Pain can also be the result of a chronic infection of the enamel, dentin or pulp of the tooth. Tooth pain can be caused by a periodontal problem such as an abscess of the gum tissue or damage to other supporting tissue of the tooth such as periodontitis. The different facial tissues being very innervated, a sensation of pain in the teeth can also be a consequence of a more distant attack: otitis, eye disease, shingles, sinusitis, etc.

Toothache is also caused by teething: baby teeth in childhood, then permanent teeth. The growth of wisdom teeth can cause a strong radiating pain.

If left untreated, toothache can take on very large proportions and have a significant impact on quality of life. If inflammation or infection occurs, the tissue can necrode and cause an abscess to form and difficulty chewing.

Any infection should always be treated. Indeed, there is a risk of progression of this infection. In some cases, if left untreated, it can lead to sepsis.

The first treatment is prevention. In order to decrease the risk of infection, it is important to brush your teeth after each meal and to reduce the consumption of sugars. Regular check-ups and descaling visits to the dentist are also good habits to have.

In order to relieve slight discomfort on a daily basis, it is possible to make some adjustments. It is advisable to avoid very hot, very cold, sweet or acidic foods, to brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and to use dental floss. In case of occasional pain, taking a painkiller such as paracetamol can provide relief.

Cavities and abscesses must be treated. In case of infection, it is possible to set up antibiotic therapy and sometimes treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. Analgesic treatment can help calm the pain while waiting for the cause to be treated.

The actual treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Depending on what is causing it, your dentist will decide what to do next.

With the exception of pushing pains, any dental pain should prompt you to consult your dentist. The urgency of the appointment depends on the intensity of the pain and the discomfort felt on a daily basis. Indeed, if the discomfort is not important, it is possible to wait for your next appointment.

If the pain is severe, the consultation should take place in the coming days and medication to relieve the pain while waiting is possible. In case of unbearable pain, worsening of pain when lying down, fever, bleeding or swelling, a visit to the emergency room or a call to Samu is required as soon as possible.