9 Facts About Toothache That S’poreans Should Know About

Last Updated on 2021-01-06 , 3:36 pm

Now, a toothache could be a pretty big problem, in the sense that it could turn your brightest day to your darkest day, all in the split of a second. For visualisation purposes, think of it as that time of a month, but instead of a set interval, you get random intervals that kick in through your window and violate your gums.

Not the most fun experience, in case you’re wondering.

But hey, did you know this? That toothache you think you might be having…

Might not actually be a toothache.

Yeah, incredulous as it may sound, it might not be a toothache you’re experiencing, but a pain sensation in other areas that you’re misinterpreting as a toothache.

Sounds deep? Yeah, it gets pretty deep.

And so without further ado, here are 9 facts about this ground-breaking, earth-shaking, booty-wobbling subject that you probably don’t need to know, but should just know anyway since you’re already here.

Oh and…

Pop some fluoride toothpaste while you’re at it. Cos you’ll probably need it.

Now, if you prefer to “watch” this article instead, your wish is our command: here’s a video we’ve done on this topic (please subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos!):

Still here? Well, here goes.

1. What is a toothache?

A wise old man once said this:

“To get to the root of a problem, you gotta start all the way from the top. Yeah it takes a pretty long while, and it does get kinda troublesome, but that’s really the full-assed way to get to things.”

And indeed, to explore the cavities of a toothache, you really gotta start from the top. And that means knowing what the hell a toothache is in the first place.

So right, what is a toothache?

Well in general, a toothache indicates pain felt in or around your tooth or jaw. And that sensation can more often than not be attributed to the condition of the tooth. See, your teeth consist of two basic parts, the crown and the root.

The root, in particular, is the part of the tooth below the gum line that encloses the pulp (nerve) of the tooth.

And any inflammation that occurs to it would cause uncomfortable warning signals that makes you think, well… something isn’t quite right here. 

Coincidentally, that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you’re having a toothache.

2. Causes of a toothache

But that begets the question: what causes your nerve to get all… inflamed?

I mean sure; you’ve heard your mum nag all your life: don’t eat so much sweet stuff. But how exactly does that affect your gums?

Well, unsurprisingly, the most common cause of a toothache is tooth decay, that has all but descended to the pulp of your teeth. It also originates from gum disease and teeth that are pulled, abscessed (infected), fractured, damaged by trauma, or that have a compromised filling.

Here’s a more concise list of the exact causes attributable to your toothache:

• tooth decay
• inflammation of the tooth pulp (pulpitis)
• abscesses
• gum disease, including periodontitis
• loose or broken filling
• cracked or impacted tooth
• exposed tooth root
• food wedged between teeth or trapped below the gum line
• tooth nerve irritated by clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxism)
• pressure from congested sinuses
• traumatic injury

But here’s the thing; there are also other conditions out there such as TMJ issues, sinus infections, ear pain and more that might act in such a way you think you have a toothache, when the pain’s actually stemming from another source.

So if you’ve a toothache, do yourself a favour by double checking before rushing to the dentist and screaming, “Help Doc I’ve a crisis in my mouth and it’s not because of the dude from yesterday!”

3. Typical symptoms of a toothache

As obvious as it might seem, typical symptoms of a toothache do not just extend to you nursing your jaw like a little baby. Instead, there are even symptoms that all but disregard the mouth area.

• Varying levels of pain, especially when chewing, or when introduced to hot or cold stimuli. As the infection worsens, the level of pain will increase in severity.
• Pain can radiate to the cheek, ears, and jaw, and can result in swelling around the tooth and jaw.
• Bleeding or bad tasting discharges from around the infected tooth or gums.
• Headache or fever.

So the next time you get a fever, don’t just blame that chocolate buffet the other day for it. It might just be a… wait for it.

Yeah, toothache.

4. Toothache? Then how?

When a human being starts suffering in distinct pain, the first thing he/she does is to cry for their mama. When that doesn’t work, he/she will start to look for solutions, because if there’s anything they know how to do it’s that they can’t tahan pain – Mum

And if it involves sacrificing their mum I doubt they will think twice about it too. Those unfilial pieces of pies – also Mama

As such, what are the solutions in place should you for some reason, touch wood, have a literally jaw-splitting toothache? This?

Maybe, maybe not. But one thing’s for sure: it’s best to visit a dentist before you’re forced to take such… drastic actions.

And just for your info, these are the main criteria that warrant a trip to the doc:

• Suffered trauma to your teeth
• The toothache’s really quite bad
• The symptoms last beyond a day or two
• The dentist there is pretty cute

Other ‘when to call the doctor in’ scenarios include fever, swelling, intense pain or additional bleeding.

And that will lead to the…

5. Diagnosis

You’re at the doctor’s, and honestly you’ve no idea of what to do.

Well, worry not, buster, because I’ve got the dentist formula all down pat.

First off, the dentist will need to identify the location of the toothache, as well as the cause. And to do so, he will have to ask the patient particular queries about the toothache, including…

• Types of food that make the pain worse
• Is the tooth sensitive to temperature or biting?
• Are you single? (Just kidding)
• Does the pain get worse at night?

The dentist then follows up by examining the patient’s mouth for hints of swelling, redness, and apparent tooth damage.

Thereafter, he might do any of these stuff:

• Flush the sore area with warm water to remove any food particles and to trial for sensitivity to heat.
• Dry the area with gauze to test sensitivity to touch and pressure
• Probe tooth crevices and the edges of fillings with a sharp-edged weapon- instrument, to look for areas of tooth decay
• X-Rays to check under your teeth, a cracked or impacted tooth, or a disorder of the underlying bone

But rest assured; he knows what he’s doing.

Probably.

6. What if I can’t make it to the dentist?

So you can’t make it to the dentist, despite your toothache throbbing like Lucifer’s personal torture device. Well worry not (?); you’re not gonna die so soon. Just follow these home remedies to somewhat stall your death clock, until you can get your ass to the dentist’s.

• Rinse your mouth out with warm (salt) water
• Use over the counter pain medications
• Apply oral pain relief products
• Use dental floss to remove food particles
• Applying a cold compress against the outside of the cheek

7. What about alternative treatment?

And of course, not forgetting alternative treatment methods. Take note, however, that like the home remedies mentioned above, these processes are only to cushion your fall till your trip to the dentist.

• Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum)

Rub it on sensitive gums to numb them, or add to a small cotton pellet that is then slotted into or over a hole in the tooth.

• Herb (Corydalis yanhusuo)

May help ease toothache pain.

• Acupressure
• Acupuncture
• Reiki

Remember, head to the dentist pronto.

8. Prognosis

Lest you’re unaware, prompt dental treatment would be the optimal choice, with any treatments or extractions done with minimal discomfort to the patient.

But what if, heavens forbid, you can’t get to the dentist in time?

Well alright it’s not that bad. It’s just that a severe infection may develop and disperse to the sinuses or jawbone, and in due time cause blood poisoning.

Yeah.

9. Prevention

So how do you prevent toothaches from happening? Ever?

Well, thankfully you don’t have to master the hidden arts of Tai Chi to do that, as you just have to fulfill these simple steps on a day-to-day basis:

• Brush at least twice a day, preferably with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss once a day
• Limit sugary food and drinks. You can still have them, but just don’t go overboard like chugging down 2 containers of Nutella within 24 hours
• Avoid smoking
• Visit the dentist at least once a year (twice for children, seeing how they’re in the growing stages of development)

Easy steps to follow, right? You just gotta cut down on the number of Chateraise chocolate cakes you eat a week, stub out that cigarette before you start and make regular dentist appointments, alongside other miscellaneous routines.

Well alright maybe it’s just a bit hard, but I’m sure you’ll get used to it.

Featured Image: Body Stock / Shutterstock.com