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Toothache is a common condition that affects many people. It can be caused by various problems, from tooth decay to abscesses and gum disease. The pain of toothache can range from mild to severe and may have different causes in different people.
A toothache is usually a symptom of an underlying problem, such as an infection or injury to the jawbone. Most toothaches are caused by injuries that occur when you bite down too hard on something, such as a sharp object or your teeth or tongue. Biting down too hard on something can damage the enamel layer of your teeth, leading to cavities or cracks in your teeth. If you bite down too hard on something, it can also cause gum swelling and inflammation, which can cause pain in your mouth.
A patient can develop toothache despite having healthy teeth. This condition is termed “toothache.” The latter can travel from one side of your mouth to the next, hence the term “traveling tooth pain.”
Here is what you need to know about traveling tooth pain and what to do.
What Is a Travelling Tooth Pain?
When tooth pain comes and goes in waves, it’s called traveling tooth pain. It is often caused by several factors, including an injury to a tooth or a nerve, but an infection can also cause it.
Migrating pain may occur when you injure your tooth or jawbone. It can also be caused by a problem with the nerves that control your jaw muscles, called the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve runs from your face to your brain, and it helps you smile and laugh. If this nerve is damaged or irritated, you may experience pain in various areas of your face or head.
What are the Major Causes of Travelling Tooth Pain?
Tooth root abscess
Tooth root abscess is a rare but severe condition that can affect any tooth, especially those located in the back of your mouth. This abscess forms when bacteria get trapped within the root canal and no longer respond to antibiotics. If left untreated, an abscess can cause pain, swelling, and loss of tooth structure. It also triggers traveling tooth pain.
Periodontal disease (gum disease)
Gum disease is caused by inflammation of gum tissues, which can lead to bleeding gums and infected pockets where bacteria can collect and multiply, causing pain, swelling, and redness around your teeth or gumlines where they meet your teeth.
Jaw (mandibular) joint infection
This type of infection is usually caused by bacteria that enter the mouth through the gums, teeth, or jaw opening. The bacteria multiply in an abscess and cause swelling, fever, and pain that gets worse with movement.
Cavities
Infections in your mouth can cause pain, swelling, and an ache in your jaw. If left untreated, the infection can spread to your teeth. The more cavities you have, the more likely you are to suffer from tooth decay. In fact, one study showed that 47% of people with cavities had experienced traveling pain or discomfort with their teeth.
Tumors
A tumor on one of your teeth can cause pain in the tooth itself or nearby areas like the gum or jawbone. Tumors may also cause tenderness around that tooth and a red spot on the gum tissue near where they grow. Tumors can also lead to toothache.
Tips for Preventing Migrating Tooth Pain
1. Keep your teeth clean
If you’re not using a toothbrush or mouthwash, you may expose your teeth to bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. This can cause pain and swelling in the gums and even lead to tooth abscesses, which are painful and require treatment by a dentist.
Toothbrushing and flossing are essential for keeping your teeth clean. Brush your teeth twice a day, using an anti-bacterial mouthwash if necessary. If you have sensitive teeth, floss daily, preferably after brushing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
2. Visit the dentist for cleaning and polishing
Tooth decay can be prevented by going to the dentist every six months to clean and polish your teeth and gums. This procedure helps fight off bacteria from building up on the surface of your teeth and in between them, which causes cavities or other problems with your mouth that could lead to tooth decay or other health issues down the road if not treated properly.
3. Avoid sugary drinks
Sugary drinks such as fizzy water, soft drinks, and fruit juice can cause tooth decay and cavities because they contain a lot of sugar, which causes bacteria to grow on the surface of the teeth. The bacteria then stick to the enamel on your teeth, causing them to decay, leading to decay under the enamel. This can lead to dentin damage (the layer inside your tooth), resulting in a toothache. If possible, try switching from sugary drinks to unsweetened tea or coffee instead so that you don’t need extra sugar in your diet, then brush after drinking them too.
4. Eat a healthy diet
A diet high in fiber, water, vitamins, and minerals can help reduce the amount of acid trapped in your teeth and cause pain. The best way to do this is by consuming plenty of fruit and vegetables. These are full of fiber and will help prevent tooth decay. They are also rich in antioxidants that fight inflammation, which can cause toothache. You should also limit the number of sugary foods that you eat, as they can cause swelling in your gums.
5. Drink plenty of water
You should drink at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your mouth hydrated and flush out any excess bacteria or toxins from the food that may be causing your problem. If you have been drinking too much coffee or tea, switch to more water to dilute its effects on your teeth.
Key Takeaway
Dental care is a crucial part of your overall health. It is vital to your overall health to maintain good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. Your dentist will recommend you take care of your gums and teeth before they become infected or damaged. They will also advise you on how to avoid cavities and other mouth diseases. Regular visits to the dentist can help you keep your teeth healthy and strong, as well as help prevent diseases such as gum disease. You should also check your teeth if they are sensitive, have problems with decay, or if they hurt when you eat certain foods or brush too hard. If you have a toothache, it’s best to see your dentist immediately so they can diagnose the problem properly and treat it quickly!
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