Toothache: causes and great tips

Toothache can have many causes. You can find out here which ones exist and which treatment can help against the unpleasant symptoms.

Toothache at a glance

Toothache is a nightmare for most people: the pain alone is bad, but the thought of a visit to the dentist often causes heart palpitations. But how do the complaints arise in the first place? In most cases, toothache is actually caused by problems with the teeth, but various diseases such as inflammation can also be causal. Depending on the trigger, treatment is different.

How does toothache develop?

Besides blood vessels, a tooth also contains sensitive nerve fibers. They penetrate from the jawbone from below into the tooth root and then lie in the so-called tooth pulp. They are extremely easily irritated. The pulp is protected by a layer of dentin and enamel. However, this barrier is also sensitive: dental diseases such as caries can damage it, so that the nerve fibers are open to any kind of stimulus - which then causes toothache.

Common causes of tooth pain

The following basic diseases can cause toothache:

Tooth problems: tooth decay, inflammation of the root ("pulpitis"), periodontitis, fallen out fillings, crowns and temporaries, abscess, inflammation of the gums, tooth breakthrough or fracture, treatment at the dentist himself

Generally pain-sensitive teeth: lightning pain caused by cold ice cream or sweets, for example. Exposed tooth necks are often the trigger. However, worn chewing surfaces, grinding of teeth or constant excessive pressure when brushing teeth can also trigger a high sensitivity to pain.

Other basic diseases: e.g. headaches or migraines, sinusitis, heart attack, shingles, earache. Inflammation of the middle ear, cysts

Certain drugs: e.g. bisphosphonates

What helps against toothache?

For acute pain, painkillers such as ibuprofen can be taken. Please do not take aspirin - this reduces blood clotting, so that wounds bleed more easily or for longer. Toothache is treated depending on the cause - usually at the dentist. The following treatments are possible:

Caries: Caries is removed from the tooth with a drill. Afterwards, the resulting hole is closed with a filling.

Tooth root or jawbone problems as well as abscesses: A root canal treatment is performed. The pain is usually reduced by opening the tooth, as the pressure in the tissue is reduced.

Gingivitis: The gum pockets are cleaned. Sometimes the doctor prescribes an antibacterial mouthwash or antibiotics, depending on the type of bacteria.

If the pain is not caused by the teeth, other specialists must be consulted. Important: If the toothache is severe, present in the entire lower jaw, and if additional symptoms such as tightness in the chest area, shortness of breath and chest pain radiating into the arm occur, the emergency doctor should be called immediately. It could be a heart attack!

Do home remedies also help against toothache?

Often one has toothache exactly then, if one cannot evenly evenly to the dentist can - on weekend for example or in the middle of the night. If you don't want to take medication directly, you can also try to treat your toothache with home remedies. These are suitable for this:

Clove: It should be bitten near the painful tooth. The active ingredient Eugenol contained in the clove anaesthetizes (clove oil has the same effect, by the way). However, this is only a very short-term solution: Eugenol can kill the dental nerve in the long run. So you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Salt water rinsing: A highly concentrated salt water rinse with lukewarm water that is rinsed through the mouth for two minutes can relieve toothache.

Sage tea: A mouth rinse with sage tea inhibits inflammation.

Cold towel or ice bag: A damp towel can be placed on the cheek in this way, an ice bag is wrapped in a towel beforehand. This damps the blood flow to the inflamed area and the toothache subsides.

Tea: A tea mixture of peppermint, St. John's wort, lemon balm, valerian and quendel also reduces the pain.

Should I always go to the dentist with a toothache?

If you have a toothache of any kind, you should always go to the dentist. If tooth problems remain untreated, they can also cause problems in other parts of the body. For example, bacteria can travel from the teeth via the bloodstream to the heart, where they can cause heart valve inflammation. If the inflammation is chronic, vascular diseases can occur in the long term. And pregnant women have an increased risk of miscarriage due to bacteria from various gum inflammations. Especially with 

persistent toothache or those that are getting worse and worse, 

Swelling of the mouth or face,

Toothache while chewing

or frequently bleeding reddened gums