Are you walking around with tooth pain? Most often the pain can be treated with a combination of Ibuprofen (Ipren) and Panodil if the toothache is not acute. That is, if the pain has a natural cause such as a major dental procedure. You will always be thoroughly counseled before you leave our dental clinic so that you know how to best manage your pain when you return home.
What is a toothache?
Toothache is technically known as odontalgia and refers to pain from teeth and their surrounding soft tissues, such as gums.
Although most people have no doubt when they have a toothache and the pain can be intense, it can be difficult to localize.
Often it can be difficult to determine which tooth is hurting and sometimes the toothache pain can "cheat" so that the cause of the pain and the pain sensation itself do not originate from the same tooth. It also happens that pain from elsewhere in the body feels like a toothache - usually pain from sinusitis or jaws.
Why do you get a toothache?
Each tooth consists of several different layers. On the outside of the crown is the enamel and on the outside of the roots is the cementum. These two outer hard layers protect the underlying dentin that surrounds the tooth's nerve, the pulp. The pulp is located in the pulp chamber inside the tooth. We can't feel anything from either the enamel or the cementum, only from the inside of the tooth and the innermost dentin.
Toothache with tooth decay
If there is damage to the enamel or cement, such as a caries attack, bacteria can enter the dentin and perhaps even the pulp chamber. This can irritate the nerve and cause inflammation. Inflammation causes swelling, but because the inside of the tooth is unyielding, the pressure on the nerve is high and can be quite painful to the teeth.
Toothache with gingivitis
Pain in the gums is usually a sign that the gums are inflamed. You can read more about gingivitis here. Inflammation can also eventually develop into the dental disease periodontitis.
Toothache on hard impact
A hard blow to a tooth can also hurt. In such cases, it is the impact itself that can cause an inflammatory condition to develop inside the tooth, which can cause pain.
Toothache with icing
Teeth chattering or chafing when eating cold foods is a feeling that many people experience to a greater or lesser degree. Some people may also experience temporary pain when drinking or eating something hot. This is often due to areas of the teeth where the dentine is not protected by enamel, making the tooth more susceptible to temperature changes. There can be many reasons why the dentin is exposed in one or more places, and it's a good idea to ask your dentist if you're bothered by it.
Toothache around wisdom teeth
Another very common cause of toothache is that one or more of your wisdom teeth is erupting. The pain can occur both in the jaw itself and during the eruption itself. You can read more about wisdom teeth irritation here.
When should I respond to tooth pain?
If you are experiencing toothache, we encourage you to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible so that treatment can begin. There is always a cause for toothache and it's important to find out what it is so it can be cured. It's also possible to prevent future toothaches and strengthen your teeth.
It can be difficult to tell which tooth is causing the toothache - often it's not the tooth that hurts that's causing the toothache. The dentist will help you localize the pain to relieve and treat your toothache. Are you uncomfortable visiting the dentist? No need to worry, our dentists are specialists in dental anxiety.
After treatment, you should contact your dentist if:
- The pain does not subside in the following days
- The pain gets worse.
Advice for toothache - if you have toothache
- If the tooth pain is not acute, tooth pain can be relieved with toothache painkillers. A combination of Ibuprofen (Ipren) and Panodil is often an effective remedy for temporary toothache. However, a general toothache usually has a cause, which requires treatment.
- Clean your teeth with dental floss - to make sure there's no food residue to get in the way.
- Rinse your mouth with chlorhexidine.
- If your gums are swollen, you can use ice cubes to reduce swelling.
When toothache painkillers don't work
If you have dental pain and regular painkillers are not enough, you may need emergency dental treatment. In such cases, you should always contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Toothaches only get worse the longer they go on.
We are happy to help you get rid of your pain with an emergency dental treatment during opening hours. Read more about emergency dentistry here.
If you have an acute toothache with severe pain outside of opening hours, contact the emergency dental service.
Acute toothache - how and why does it occur?
Acute toothache can come on suddenly and be an intense pain that requires immediate attention. One of the most common causes of acute toothache is inflammation of the tooth's nerve, often caused by a deep hole (caries) or crack in the tooth that allows bacteria to enter the interior of the tooth. This can lead to a severe inflammatory condition where the pressure on the nerve becomes so intense that the pain feels unavoidable.
Another common cause of acute toothache is a broken tooth. When a tooth breaks, it can expose the tooth's nerve or pulp tissue, leading to a sudden and severe pain reaction. Acute toothache can also be caused by an abscess at the root of the tooth resulting from an untreated infection, or gingivitis that has developed into a more serious form of dental disease.
If you experience an acute toothache, it's important to contact your dentist immediately to avoid further complications and to relieve the pain quickly and effectively. Toothaches usually only get worse over time, so it's crucial to act quickly. At Tandliv, we're ready to help you with emergency dental treatment so you can be pain-free and regain your peace of mind.
How to prevent toothache - The 5 most important tips
There are many things you can do to ensure healthy teeth and good oral hygiene.
- Brush 2-3 times a day - and floss once a day.
- Prevent tooth decay with the natural remedy, fluoride.
- Get a thorough dental cleaning at the dentist a few times a year.
- Eat and drink less sugar
Stop smoking.
FAQ - Toothache
To relieve toothache temporarily, you can try the following. Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (follow recommended dosage and avoid aspirin for children). Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Apply a cold compress outside the painful area. Use a numbing gel or toothache drops. Avoid extreme cold and heat and hard food.
Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help relieve toothache temporarily. They work by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals in the body. Remember to follow the recommended dose and instructions on the package. Although painkillers can provide temporary relief, it's important to consult your dentist to identify and treat the underlying cause of the toothache.
In some cases, a toothache may go away on its own if it's caused by minor irritations, such as pressure from food debris or sensitivity to cold and heat. However, if the toothache is caused by more serious issues such as cavities, infections or gum disease, it is unlikely to go away without appropriate dental treatment. It's important to consult a dentist if you experience persistent or intense toothache for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Contact us and get advice
If you have any doubts or questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
- I look forward to meeting you in the clinic.
- Dentist
Born 1974, graduated from the University of Copenhagen from the Department of Odontology at the School of Dentistry in 2004. Experienced dentist who has taught at the School of Dentistry in Copenhagen in gum disease and performs special treatments in periodontal disease.
Zohair has also published an article in Tandlægebladet about "periodontitis juvenilis", which can be read here or on the website of the Odontological Institute.
Contact Tandliv for questions
Do you have questions about toothache, prices or the treatment process?
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