Remedies for Toothaches & Swollen Gums
Anyone who has ever experienced a toothache is aware of how severe tooth pain can be. In contrast, pain from swollen gums is barely noticeable. There are several reasons for toothaches and swollen gums, including cavities, infection and the perplexing fractured tooth syndrome. Short-term measures can provide relief even before seeing a dentist.
Toothache Pain Remedies
Because the mouth is quite complex, have any oral symptoms evaluated by a dentist as soon as practical. In fact, one reason toothaches are so painful is that nerves within a tooth transmit only one sensation -- pain. Regardless of whether nerves are responding to cold, pressure or decay, the signals are sent to the brain to be registered as pain.
The most common reason for a toothache is decay encroaching on nerves at the tooth's center. If cold precipitates pain, it should be avoided, but if heat precipitates pain, ice may help. If pain is constant, a regular regimen of analgesics is indicated. Over-the-counter medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol, Cetafen) and the nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Two different analgesics can be taken simultaneously when one does not provide relief, but always follow the directions on the product's label.
- Because the mouth is quite complex, have any oral symptoms evaluated by a dentist as soon as practical.
- Two different analgesics can be taken simultaneously when one does not provide relief, but always follow the directions on the product's label.
Management of Traumatic Tooth Pain
Tooth Pain After Eating
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External blunt trauma to a tooth results in a somewhat different type of pain, as it arises from nerves in the ligament surrounding the root. Applying ice to bruised lips will help reduce swelling and overall pain, but it will have little effect on tooth pain. If trauma misaligns the tooth, clenching or chewing may cause pain. In dental trauma situations, taking over-the-counter analgesics will provide some relief until a dentist can be consulted.
- External blunt trauma to a tooth results in a somewhat different type of pain, as it arises from nerves in the ligament surrounding the root.
- Applying ice to bruised lips will help reduce swelling and overall pain, but it will have little effect on tooth pain.
Treatment of Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Cracked tooth syndrome often challenges patients and dentists 2. It occurs when the tooth develops a microscopic fracture. The fracture can’t be detected orally or even on radiographs, and diagnosis is based predominantly on symptoms. A sharp fleeting pain is sensed intermittently during eating, and only when chewing forces are applied at a specific angle. Avoid chewing on the involved side until a dentist can treat the fracture with an onlay -- a partial crown -- or a crown. Habits such as chewing on ice or bones can lead to cracked tooth syndrome.
- Cracked tooth syndrome often challenges patients and dentists 2.
- The fracture can’t be detected orally or even on radiographs, and diagnosis is based predominantly on symptoms.
Care of Swollen Gums
Tooth Pain and Sweets
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While there are numerous causes for swollen gums, the main culprits include periodontal disease -- gingivitis and periodontitis -- or pregnancy gingivitis, which is associated with natural changes during pregnancy. Swelling and inflammation may indicate an active infection and be accompanied by redness, bleeding or pain. Definitive relief is achieved by mechanical removal of calculus and biofilm -- dental plaque -- with a professional dental cleaning and antibiotics, although home care is vital. This entails effective brushing, flossing and use of an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash or spray, such as buffered chlorine dioxide or warm saltwater rinses. Oil of cloves solutions or gels containing benzocaine (Orajel, Anbesol) provide temporary relief.
- While there are numerous causes for swollen gums, the main culprits include periodontal disease -- gingivitis and periodontitis -- or pregnancy gingivitis, which is associated with natural changes during pregnancy.
- This entails effective brushing, flossing and use of an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash or spray, such as buffered chlorine dioxide or warm saltwater rinses.
Related Articles
References
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Single Dose Oral Ibuprofen Plus Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) for Acute Postoperative Pain
- Journal Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences: Diagnosis of Cracked Tooth Syndrome
- Journal of Dental Research: Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010
- Journal of Dentistry: The Effects of Clove and Benzocaine Versus Placebos as Topical Anesthetics
- Journal of Periodontology: Salt and Peroxide Compared With Conventional Oral Hygiene: Microbial Results
- Renton T. Dental (Odontogenic) Pain. Rev Pain. 2011;5(1):2-7. doi:10.1177/204946371100500102
- Lin M, Genin GM, Xu F, Lu T. Thermal Pain in Teeth: Electrophysiology Governed by Thermomechanics. Appl Mech Rev. 2014;66(3):0308011-3080114. doi:10.1115/1.4026912
- Rajeswari K, Kandaswamy D, Karthick S. Endodontic management of patients with systemic complications. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2016;8(Suppl 1):S32-S35. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.191962
- Markowitz K, Moynihan M, Liu M, Kim S. Biologic properties of eugenol and zinc oxide-eugenol. A clinically oriented review. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1992;73(6):729-37.
- Hersh EV, Ciancio SG, Kuperstein AS, et al. An evaluation of 10 percent and 20 percent benzocaine gels in patients with acute toothaches: efficacy, tolerability and compliance with label dose administration directions. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013;144(5):517-26.
- Bei M. Molecular genetics of tooth development. Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2009;19(5):504-10. doi:10.1016/j.gde.2009.09.002
- Hasan S, Singh K, Salati N. Cracked tooth syndrome: Overview of literature. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2015;5(3):164-8. doi:10.4103/2229-516X.165376
- American Dental Association. The American Dental Association. Do You Have a Cracked Tooth?
Resources
Writer Bio
Jack Klausner has published extensively in clinical journals, including the Am Dental Assoc, Pain Medicine and Clinical Sleep Medicine. Klausner has been involved in pain research and is assistant-professor at New York University College of Dentistry, where he received his dental degree. He is a contributor to the blog hometest4.