Home: Toothaches

Toothaches: First Aid

Most of the toothaches are due to the tooth decays. The teeth get decayed in long run or sometimes earlier in their course. The micro organisms, particularly the bacteria thrive on and nourish themselves using the sugars and starches of the food particles that stick to the teeth. This leads to the formation of the sticky plaque on the teeth surface. The bacteria then produce the acid which erodes the hard protective covering or enamel of the teeth, thus forming the cavities into the tooth.

This result in tooth decay and the person feels pain while eating the meals, particularly sweet or hot or cold food items. The pain results due to the entry of these substances in the cavity of the decayed tooth.

Toothaches are usually more painful and they may be at times intolerable to the person.
The pain mostly is felt on eating the sweet or hot or cold things, pain while chewing the food. This pain may even radiate to the jaw and ear. The gums may be swollen and bleed sometimes.

Preventive aspect:

The key step towards the prevention of toothache is to save the tooth from getting decayed. All that one care practice is the maintenance of good oral or mouth hygiene.
Brush your teeth twice a day and after every meal if possible.
Have a visit to your dentist at least once or twice a year for complete dental check up.
Floss your teeth regularly.
Avoid too much sugar and have a habit to immediately rinse your mouth with water following ant sugars you had.
Smoking may lead to dental caries so better quit it.

However, when you are facing this trouble you may need to visit your dentist.

Self care at home:

 Certain measures or steps can provide you a sort of relief from your pain.
At your home you can best try out these to palliate your pain until you consult your dentist.
Have your mouth to be rinsed with warm water.
Use the dental floss to dislodge any food particles between the teeth.
The over- the- counter pain reliever drugs can be taken to reduce pain.
Apply an antiseptic that contains benzocaine directly to the affected tooth and gum; this will reduce the pain sensation temporarily.
Application of the clove oil may also prove to help.
Avoid the direct contact of aspirin to the irritated and swollen gum as it may burn the affected area.

If the symptoms of the tooth ache persist and you have foul breathing from the mouth, purulent or bloody discharge and swollen gums, you should consult your dentist as early as possible.

Consult your dentist if you find signs of the infection, difficulty in breathing or swallowing.

Disclaimer
This site provides you with the general guidelines and information regarding the first aid measures for the various conditions or health related problems. It is not a substitute for the medical advice or the formal first aid training. It will not be responsible or liable in case one tries to make diagnosis based on the provided information. You always need to consult the doctor and emergency department in case of all the serious emergencies rather than just relying upon the supposed guidelines.