When it comes to tooth pain, there are many do-it-yourself cures out there, promising relief--even if you suffer with severe tooth pain. Are these promised cures valid? After all, there are many great do-it-yourself cures for other kinds of pain from headaches to sore knees. You’ve probably tried some of them, and they’ve worked.
So, why not use a "do-it-yourself" cure for tooth pain? The answer comes from understanding the cause of tooth pain.
The cause of Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is usually caused by an inflamed or infected dental pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue found on the inside of your tooth and roots. It contains blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerve tissue.
It serves a very important function when you are a child because it actually forms the hard tooth structure as your tooth develops. Once your tooth has completed its development the pulp no longer has a vital function in maintaining your tooth. It just lies dormant within your tooth until it gets injured.
What are the common causes of pulp injury?
- Dental decay
- Dental fillings and crowns
- Trauma such as getting hit in the mouth
- Tiny (even microscopic) cracks
Once the pulp is injured it becomes inflamed. The inflammation can then ultimately lead to the necrosis (loss of vitality) of the pulp. We call this an abscessed tooth or root canal infection.
Why not just take an anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen) or an antibiotic?
The answer lies in understanding the anatomy of your tooth. The dental pulp is trapped inside the hard tooth outer enamel and dentin of your tooth. Although the pulp does contain blood vessels there simply isn't enough circulation from surrounding tissues to the inside of your tooth. That means any medication you might take just can't reach the diseased pulp.
What is the danger of masking the pain?
Once the pulp becomes infected it is just sitting there on the inside of your tooth dumping bacteria into the surrounding gum and bone tissue.
So, what's the cure for tooth pain?
If your toothache pain is coming from an inflamed or infected dental pulp you will be left with two options:
- Tooth removal. This is the least desirable option. Most dentists are very reluctant to extract a tooth unless it is absolutely necessary. This seems like a quick fix but the reality is that it can lead to more complex problems in the future.
- Root canal treatment. This is really a simple dental procedure that cleans out the inflamed or infected dental pulp. This cure for toothache pain allows you to save your tooth.
Don't mask the problem. Eliminate it!
If you have persistent or severe toothache pain, have me take a look, see what’s happening and suggest a cure that will make the problem go away, likely saving you from a world of hurt on down the road.
The benefits of a happy, healthy smile are immeasurable!
Sincerely,
Stephen H. Wolpo, D.D.S.
Smile Sensations Dental Practice
