Tooth pain is an affliction that can be quite debilitating and it a majority of the population. From a general perspective, pain is merely the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong, and the grade and type of pain can be indicative of the severity of the condition. The following types of tooth discomfort or pain and the related treatments may serve as a guide.
Sensitivity to cold or hot liquids and foods
If the discomfort is momentary, it usually signifies that the problem is a small one. The possible causes could be a decay in a tiny region of a tooth, a tooth filling that has come loose or a root that is exposed. Nerve root exposure frequently occurs as a result of bad brushing habits.
In the case of an exposed nerve root, keeping it clean and preventing dental plaque accumulation can help. Use of a soft toothbrush is preferred. There is a common misconception about frequent brushing helping in maintaining oral hygiene. Restrict brushing of teeth to twice a day. Fluoride-based toothpaste is usually helpful in combating sensitivity. Visit a dentist if the sensitivity doesn’t subside or if it worsens.
Sensitivity following dental treatment
Inflamed pulp tissue within the tooth, following dental work, can cause sensitivity. This condition usually doesn’t last longer than a few days, but it can take a little longer to subside depending on the magnitude of the dental treatment carried out. Over-the-counter pain medication like paracetamol or aspirin is usually helpful. Visit a dentist if the pain worsens.
A sharp pain on biting
A crack in the tooth, tooth decay, or a loosened filling are some of the possible causes. A loosened filling, as well as tooth decay, will have to be treated by a dentist. If there is pulp tissue damage, root canal treatment may be necessary. Treating a cracked tooth may pose more of a problem because there may be pulped tissue involvement, and/or the crack may be at a location that is difficult to access.
Pain that lingers
Lingering pain may be indicative of decay of the pulp and is often irreversible. You will need to visit a dentist before the infection spreads and leads to a worse condition. Root canal treatment is the therapy of choice.
A dull pain in the upper teeth and pain in the sinuses
Pain in the sinus areas of the face is usually related to pain in the upper, back teeth because of their shared nerves. The origin of this pain is often difficult to localize. As a result, pain in the sinuses from a cold or other similar infection can result in tooth pain, and vice versa. Grinding of the teeth can also cause similar symptoms, and hence, it must be ruled out. Visit a dentist or a general physician to determine the cause of the discomfort, so that an appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible.
Constant pain that is difficult to localize
This is caused due to a severe decay of the dental pulp spreading towards the nerve root. Visit a dentist to isolate the problem. Root canal treatment may be required to salvage the infected tooth. Treatment should be sought immediately or the condition might worsen.
Constant unbearable pain, swollen and sensitive gums
This is caused when an infection spreads and forms an abscess, and the adjacent bone is also affected. Root canal treatment will be required. Until treated, over-the-counter pain medication might provide a degree of relief.
Home remedies for dental ailments
If you are looking for instant relief, you can use certain home remedies to act against toothaches. Although these might not be permanent solutions, they help to reduce the degree of pain until you go to your dentist.
Oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing are incredibly essential. Not caring for the teeth can cause them to decay and even fall off in extreme cases. Consequently, missing teeth can make chewing food complicated and cause extreme discomfort. To manage the problem, dentists affix dental implants in the jawbone that replace the lost teeth. Here is a quick guide on how implants work and their popular types and benefits.
How do dental implants work?
A dental implant effectively works both as a root and a tooth. The three components of a dental implant are:
Types of dental implants
The following are a few popular types of dental implants one may come across:
The best implant for a person will depend on their oral health and how much stress their bone structure can support at the time of the diagnosis. So, it is vital to do a detailed analysis and diagnosis before committing to a dental procedure.
Benefits of dental implants
There are several benefits to getting dental implants. Here are a few of them to explore:
Individuals suffering from missing teeth should speak to a dentist about the best treatment plan for them. The dentist can recommend a suitable type of dental implant to make chewing easier and lessen discomfort. The expert can also suggest tips to maintain the implant and prevent tooth problems in the future. However, it is important to note that dental implants are not the only solution to lost teeth. In some cases, the dentist may recommend using removable dentures or other alternatives.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.