Toothaches and gum problems
are common but usually can be prevented by taking good care of your teeth and
gums. Keeping your
teeth,
gums, and the bones around your teeth healthy requires regular brushing, flossing,
and good nutrition. Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride
toothpaste. Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. For
more information on proper brushing and flossing techniques, see the topic
Basic Dental Care.
Toothaches
Sometimes you may have tooth pain when
you touch a tooth or when you eat or drink foods that are hot, cold, sweet, or
sour (a sensitive tooth). Mild sensitivity can be caused by shrunken (receded)
gums or a worn-down tooth. Moderate to severe sensitivity can mean a tooth has
cracked, a dental
cavity is present, or a
filling has been lost. Seeing a
dentist for treatment can prevent the tooth from
dying.
The most common cause of a toothache is
tooth decay, although toothache may not be present in the early stages of
decay. Other reasons for a toothache might include:
An infection of or around the tooth (abscess). A red, swollen,
painful bump may be found near or on the side of the sore tooth. The tooth may
especially hurt when you bite down.
A tooth that has not broken
through the gum (impacted tooth). Gums may be red,
swollen, and sore. The area around this tooth can ache, throb, and be quite
painful.
Problems with or injury to the nerves in the center of
the tooth (pulp), which can be caused by an injury to the face or from grinding
or gnashing the teeth.
Sometimes a toothache can be caused by a another health
problem, such as:
Alcohol or drug
abuse, especially methamphetamines.
Vitamin deficiencies, such as
too little vitamin B12.
Gum problems
Healthy gums
are pink and firm and do not bleed easily. Occasionally your gums may bleed if
you brush your teeth and gums too hard, use a hard-bristled toothbrush, or snap
dental floss hard against your gums. Be gentle with your teeth; use a
soft-bristled tooth brush and floss carefully to help prevent this
problem.
Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) causes red,
swollen gums that bleed easily when brushed. Because gingivitis usually doesn't
cause pain, many people delay treatment. If not treated, gum disease can cause
more serious problems with the gum tissue.
As gum disease gets
worse, the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets where plaque can
hide and cause further damage. This stage of gum disease is called
periodontitis or
periodontal disease and is caused by long-term
infection of the gums, bone, and other tissues that surround and support the
teeth. It can progress until the bones that support the teeth are damaged. In
this late stage, teeth may become loose and fall out or need to be removed.
Early treatment of gum disease is important to prevent tooth loss. As gum
disease gets more severe (periodontitis), it becomes harder to treat.
Other causes of gum bleeding, swelling, and pain include:
Pregnancy, blood-thinning medicines, or bleeding
disorders. Each of these can cause gums to bleed easily.
Lack of
vitamins, such as vitamin K or vitamin C, or medical
problems, such as
anemia, that interfere with the body's ability to
absorb certain vitamins.
Teething in
babies and young children. For more information, see the topic
Teething.
Medicines such as Dilantin or
calcium channel blockers.
Dentures or a dental appliance that
irritates the gums.
An infection around the root of the tooth.
Swelling and redness, sometimes with pus, may appear at the base of a
tooth.
Smoking and using other tobacco products increases your risk
for gum disease. Smokers have a higher chance of having gum disease throughout
their mouths than nonsmokers. You may not have symptoms of bleeding or swollen
gums because the normal bleeding immune response is affected by tobacco use.
Chewing tobacco or using snuff may push the gums back in the area of the mouth
where the tobacco is inserted. Constant irritation caused by tobacco products
increases your risk of
oral cancer.
Use the Check Your Symptoms
section to decide if and when you should see a doctor.
Health Tools
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition.
To reduce pain and swelling of a
toothache, use an
ice pack on the outside of your cheek; do not use heat. Avoid very hot,
cold, or sweet foods and drinks if they increase your pain.
Tooth sensitivity
To reduce sensitivity to heat,
cold, or brushing, consider using a toothpaste specifically designed for
sensitive teeth. Brush with it regularly or rub a small amount of the paste on
the sensitive area with your finger a 2 to 3 times a day. Floss gently between
your teeth.
Medicine you can buy without a prescription
Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin
Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and
forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two
medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.
Safety tips
Be sure to follow these
safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:
Carefully read and follow all directions
on the medicine bottle and box.
Do not take more than the
recommended dose.
Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
If
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
it.
If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
If your gums
are mildly swollen and red, use a tartar-control toothpaste that contains
fluoride and an antiseptic mouthwash, such as Listerine, or a mouthwash that
contains fluoride. Make sure you brush after meals and snacks and floss every
day. If you cannot brush after eating, chew sugar-free gum, use a tooth pick,
or rinse your mouth with
warm salt water. You can make your own salt water by
mixing 1 tsp (5 g) of salt in a medium-sized glass [8 fl oz (240 mL)] of warm water.
Tobacco can cause many gum problems, decreases your
ability to fight infection of your gums, and delays healing. Do not smoke or
use other tobacco products. For more information, see the topic
Quitting Smoking.
Do not use illegal
drugs, such as methamphetamines, which cause tooth and gum problems.
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to
evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home
treatment:
Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps
plaque grow.
Ask your dentist or dental
hygienist about tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a
soft-bristled toothbrush, stroking in a front-to-back direction. Tongue
cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are
coated or deeply grooved.
Ask your dentist or hygienist whether he
or she recommends using a mouthwash that contains fluoride and ingredients to
reduce plaque.
Schedule regular trips to the dentist. Most dentists
recommend exams and cleaning 2 times a year. Some experts believe those who are
at low risk for dental problems need only a yearly exam.
Get
regular checkups or recommended blood tests ordered by your health professional
if you are on a blood-thinning medicine or you have a bleeding
disorder.
Do not smoke or use other tobacco products because it
decreases your ability to fight gum infection and delays healing. For more
information, see the topic
Quitting Smoking.
Do not use illegal
drugs, such as methamphetamines, which cause tooth and gum problems.
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