“A toothache is not a disease. It kills.”

This saying may be well known, but toothache is really not a disease?

The answer is clearly no.

Toothache is not only a disease, but it can also cause serious health problems if left untreated.

Today, we will dig the root of toothache together to provide you with comprehensive oral health knowledge, so that you can eat and drink from now on.

| Common causes of toothache

Decayed tooth

Caries is one of the most common causes of toothache.

Dental caries is caused by bacteria in the mouth breaking down food debris to produce acidic substances that erode the enamel on the surface of the tooth, which in turn destroys the dentin and pulp tissue inside the tooth.

When caries develop to a certain extent, the teeth will show symptoms such as sensitivity and even pain.

If left untreated, caries can get worse and can eventually lead to pulpitis.

pulpitis

Pulpitis is an inflammation caused by infection of pulp tissue due to dental caries, tooth trauma and other reasons.

The main symptom of pulpitis is severe pain in the teeth, the pain is usually episodic, the pain is aggravated at night, and the pain may also radiate to the same side of the head, face and other parts.

Pulpitis, if not treated in time, may lead to pulp necrosis, periapical inflammation and other serious consequences.

Periapical inflammation

Periapical inflammation is an inflammation caused by pulpitis not being treated in time and the inflammation spreading to the tissues around the root tip.

The main symptoms of periapical inflammation are painful tooth occlusion, swelling of the gums and discharge of pus.

Periapical inflammation, if not treated in time, may lead to tooth loosening, loss, and even affect the health of surrounding teeth.

periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammation caused by bacteria in the mouth that infects periodontal tissue.

The main symptoms of periodontitis are bleeding gums, redness, pain, loose teeth and so on.

Periodontitis, if not treated in time, may lead to tooth loss and may also affect overall health, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and so on.

Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth

Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth is caused by incomplete eruption or impacted wisdom teeth, combined with poor dental plaque control, resulting in inflammation of the gum tissue around the wisdom teeth.

The main symptoms of pericoronitis of wisdom teeth are swelling and pain of the gums around the wisdom teeth. In severe cases, there may also be symptoms such as limited mouth opening and difficulty swallowing.

Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, if not treated in time, may lead to the spread of inflammation, resulting in maxillofacial space infection, and even life-threatening consequences.

| Preventive measures for toothache

Maintain good oral hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is the key to preventing toothache.

Adopt scientific brushing methods, brush your teeth every morning and evening, and brush your teeth every time.

Rinse your mouth immediately after meals, and use dental floss, interdental brush and other tools to clean between your teeth.

Go to the stomatological hospital regularly for oral examination and cleaning.

Sensible diet

Eat less sweets, acidic foods and spicy foods, and eat more foods rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and so on.

Avoid excessive drinking and smoking, which can increase the risk of oral disease.

Avoid tooth trauma

When playing sports or outdoor activities, wear a mouth guard to avoid impact on the teeth.

Do not bite hard objects with your teeth, such as bottle caps, walnuts, etc., to avoid damaging your teeth.

Timely treatment of oral diseases

If you find oral diseases, such as caries, pulpitis, periapical inflammation, periodontitis, etc., you should promptly go to the oral hospital for treatment to avoid further development of the disease, causing symptoms such as toothache.