I have a toothache, whats wrong?

I have a toothache, whats wrong?

Tooth ache can be in many different forms and for different reasons. Below are some examples of different type of tooth ache and what they mean:

Sensitive to cold, sometimes hot and lasts only a few seconds:

This is usually due to your gums receding slightly and exposing the root surface of the tooth. This doesn’t have the enamel covering the rest of the tooth does so isn’t as well protected from temperature changes. The use of sensitive specialist tooth pastes should help. After brushing with it, spit out and don’t rinse. Then apply a generous extra covering over sensitive areas and don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and you should notice an improvement.

Sensitive to cold, hot and sweet and can last several seconds:

This is usually evidence of tooth decay. This will require a visit to your dentist to examine your teeth and assess if you need a filling.

Very sensitive to hot, cold and sweet and pain lasts for minutes and can often linger with a dull throb for much longer:

This may indicate that you have aggravated nerve in a tooth. This tooth may well require root canal therapy to resolve the problem. You will need a through examination by your dentist.

Tooth is very painful touch or bite on:

This may well be due to an infection in the root of the tooth. This may be associated with localized swelling in the area. This may require the tooth to be treated will root canal therapy or be extracted. Visit your dentist for a thorough examination.

Tooth is painful when releasing on bite:

If you bite on a tooth and it only hurts when you release the bite this is usually a signal that the tooth has a crack. Visit your dentist. If this is the case the tooth may require either a crown to cover and protect the cusps. It may also require root canal therapy if the crack extends into the nerve of the tooth or if the crack is extensive and through the tooth it may need extracting.

David Hurst BDS (Lon)