Toothache

One of the most painful conditions is a toothache. Once a tooth decays, it can spread to the root of the tooth or teeth, creating a pocket of inflammation. This pocket is called an abscess.

"Toothache" is pain typically around a tooth, teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by a dental problem, such as a dental cavity, a cracked or fractured tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease. They are extremely painful, and can spread to surrounding tissue, causing facial swelling. If the infection enters the blood stream, it can cause a system wide infection that is life threatening.

Sometimes, a "toothache" may be caused by a problem not originating from a tooth or the jaw at all. Pain around the teeth and the jaws can be symptom of diseases of the heart (angina, heart attack), ears (such as inner or external ear infections), and sinuses (air passages of the cheek bones) such as sinusitis (infection of the sinus cavities). For example, the pain of angina is usually located in the chest or the arm. However, in some patients with angina, a toothache or jaw pain are the only symptoms of their heart problem. Infections and diseases of the ears and sinuses can also cause pain around the teeth and jaws. Therefore, evaluation by both dentists and doctors is sometimes necessary to diagnose medical illnesses causing a "toothache."

Keep in mind, while rare, some chronic toothache like pains are caused by neuralgias and other nerve ailments.

Symptoms

• Momentary sensitivity to hot or cold foods without recent dental work.
• Lingering or prolonged sensitivity/awareness to hot or cold foods.
• Dull ache near a tooth and/or biting sensitivity.
• Sharp pain when biting down on food.
• Constant and severe pain with pressure, swelling of the gum and sensitivity to touch.
• Touching a specific spot in or near your mouth triggers a sharp, jabbing pain lasting a few seconds.  Sometimes talking may also cause this to occur.

Popular treatments and recommendations

• Chew fresh plantain leaves, and place them on the infected area. Chewing a clove or placing it against the affected area will temporarily alleviate some pain of your abscess.
• Putting essential oil of cloves in or around the infected tooth and gums will temporarily deaden the nerves, and this natural remedy will give some relief for the abscess symptoms. It is important to note that this is NOT a cure. You will lose your tooth, if you do not seek medical help from a dentist.
• Mix one dropper full of tea tree oil in a cup of water. Use this as a mouthwash or rinse three times a day, until the infection disappears. It is important NOT to swallow this mixture. Just swish it in your mouth, paying particular attention to the infected area. Tea tree oil is an antifungal and an antiseptic, and is good as a temporary home cure, until you can see your dentist. Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent medicinal grade) is also good when used as a mouth wash/rinse. Again, do NOT swallow this mixture.
• Echinacea and Spilanthes both went by the name “toothache plant” in the past, are great natural remedies and temporary home cures for toothache pain due to exposed nerves, infection, or abscess. They come in tinctures, and should be dropped directly on the affected area.
• The Mayo Clinic recommends that you rinse your mouth with a solution of warm water and salt, taking over-the-counter pain relievers as needed prior to seeing the Dentist.

Prevention

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily
• Use a Dental Floss
• Use Mouth Washes
• Eat right, specially avoiding refined sugars and diary
• Avoid in between eating habits

References

• http://gr.dentistbd.com/prevention-of-tooth-pain.html
• http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/toothaches
• http://health-pain.blogspot.com/
• http://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=205
• http://www.endodovgan.com/Endoinfo_Toothache.htm
• http://www.homeremedycentral.com/en/home-remedies/natural-cure/