Toothache

The main cause of toothache is a part of the tooth, known as the pulp, becoming inflamed. The pulp is located inside your tooth and contains tissue and nerves which leave it susceptible to trauma and other sorts of damage. The most common causes of toothache is injury occurring to the tooth in question either from external injuries or from dental problems such as cavities and caries. The latter is often due to a low level of oral hygiene.

Causes

The majority of toothaches are a direct result of a cavity. Foods which contain excessive amounts of sugar and starch can cause serious problems in your teeth. Millions of bacteria live in your mouth and some kinds of bacteria will feed on the leftover sugar and starch. A byproduct of their feeding is a type of acid which damages your teeth and causes tooth decay.

Symptoms

Although some symptoms vary from case to case there's a number of common symptoms that most people with toothache experience. Usually there is a constant throbbing pain which emanates from your tooth and may cause sensitivity when the tooth is touched.

Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks is also common. Less common symptoms include pain in the jaw around the area of the offending tooth, a high temperature or fever and feeling generally tired and run down.

Diagnosis and treatment

A toothache is commonly diagnosed by having a thorough oral examination and a look at your dental history. Your dentist may take some X-rays of your teeth in order to aid him in diagnosing and treating the problem. There's a number of different treatments for toothache and which one your dentist opts for will depend on your age, health, medical history, the severity of the condition and what your preference is. The most common treatments include pain medications to help with discomfort, antibiotics, salt water rinses, a root canal procedure, tooth extraction or draining any abscesses.