Types of Toothache: How to Find Out the Cause

based on the cause of origin.

Toothache is a common symptom of many ailments, ranging from dental infections to stress, and from hearing disorders (otitis) to heart problems.

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Depending on the nature of the toothache, the pain felt can take on a different connotation. For example, sometimes the toothache occurs progressively, while on other occasions it begins suddenly. Again, if sometimes it is possible to control with painkillers, often the toothache is so intense and pounding that not even the common analgesics are successful. to stop the torment. In milder cases, toothache is perceived only in certain certain conditions: for example when you eat foods that are too hot or icy, or salty or rich in sugars. In the latter case, more than aching of teeth properly speaking, the discomfort perceived in response to thermal or chemical stimuli translates more correctly into dentinal hypersensitivity.

, involves multiple teeth etc.)

Frequency: the pain is continuous or intermittent

Possible accentuation of pain with hot, cold, bitter, salty, acidic, sugary foods ...

Speed of onset (sudden, progressive pain)

Co-presence of satellite symptoms such as gingival bleeding, fever, bad breath etc.

Knowing how to recognize the type and intensity of toothache, as well as being able to locate the pain in a certain area of the dental arch, is important to have an idea, however general, about the disorder that may be behind the toothache. But that's not all. Knowing how to describe pain in one's own words can prove to be extremely useful to the doctor, who will thus be able to make a "diagnostic hypothesis more easily starting from the" anamnesis, or rather from the analysis of the symptoms reported by the patient.

even to physical (hot / cold) and chemical (sweet, salty) stimuli and does not immediately regress upon the interruption of the stimulus.

Toothache, even if hardly bearable in the most intense moments, has an intermittent / remitting trend, i.e. the painful and acute peaks are mixed with episodes of mild soreness, which gradually tends to fade to reappear, shortly after, with the same violence.

Toothache is also not very controllable with classic analgesics (eg ibuprofen).

The description of toothache suggests PULPITIS, a common complication of advanced tooth decay not adequately treated by filling.

Toothache is quite bearable, albeit annoying.
The gums are particularly swollen and inflamed.
Following brushing or flossing or brushing, the gums tend to bleed.
Gingival pain can sometimes be experienced by the patient as a mild toothache, which is punctually accentuated by using a hard bristle toothbrush or an electric toothbrush.

From the analysis of the symptoms it is possible to hypothesize a GINGIVITIS. The inflammation of the gums could be a phenomenon that can be resolved quickly or hide an infection that is still in the asymptomatic stage.

Toothache is severe, spontaneous and continuous, and is accentuated in response to mechanical stimuli (chewing or slight pressure on the tooth with the tongue).
The intensity of the toothache can sometimes hinder chewing, making it a real torment. The gums are fragile and obviously inflamed, even near the apex of the root.
Toothache can be accompanied by secondary symptoms such as fever, bad breath and general malaise.
Administration of antibiotics supported by properly dosed pain relievers can relieve pain. However, this type of toothache can be cured through specific dental interventions.
If not adequately treated, toothache is aggravated by the formation of an evident and turgid fistula, which is localized on the gingival mucosa.

Symptoms suggest dental ABSCESS in progress.

Toothache appears without a precise reason, on apparently healthy teeth.
The gums are swollen, the breath bad and the lip slightly swollen.
During the X-ray examination, the doctor diagnoses a swelling of a bone / mandibular section.
On the gum, immediately under the root of the tooth, a small pathological sac can be found filled with gaseous, serous or mucous material.

In this case, the toothache (which appears in an advanced stage of the disorder) is explained by a dental CISTI, a consequence of pulpits, impacted teeth, poorly performed dental extraction or bad root canals.
The symptoms described above may also suggest a GRANULOMA. In this case, the differential diagnosis is very important to proceed with the most appropriate intervention.

The affected tooth is initially sensitive to too hot or frozen foods: at first, there is no mention of toothache because the discomfort is very bearable and regresses by removing the stimulus.
Subsequently, the pain takes on an increasingly intense connotation, until it turns into a real toothache.
Visibly, the crown of the tooth is damaged and a dark spot or spot is noted. The enamel of the tooth is also altered in its natural brilliance: the tooth appears yellowed or dull.

The symptomatology just described suggests a CARIES: initially, the caries does not cause any symptoms. As the bacteria go deeper, creating a major lesion, the symptoms progressively worsen.

Toothache begins 3-4 days after tooth extraction
The perceived pain is particularly intense, rather resistant to the classic treatment with NSAIDs
Toothache is accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, gingivitis, bad breath and bad smell in the area affected by the toothache

Typical case of ALVEOLITIS toothache. Even today this type of toothache is quite common after a dental avulsion surgery. Fortunately, the pain resolves within 7-15 days of the day of the operation.

Toothache is located precisely in a tooth that has been traumatized or severely chipped by an accidental fall.
Visually, the crown of the tooth appears fractured and, sometimes, the dental pulp is even evident.

The cause essentially depends on the trauma suffered. The origin of toothache is not infectious.

Toothache occurs in a small child.
The gums are swollen and inflamed, and the little one accuses an annoying perception of gum soreness, is clearly agitated and tends to continually bring his hands to his mouth

The most obvious response to these symptoms materializes in the imminent growth of the MILK TOOTH.

Toothache begins within 24-48 hours of a tooth whitening performed with laser lamps.
The teeth are extremely sensitive to thermal or chemical stimuli.
Brushing your teeth with whitening toothpastes can also be painful or annoying.

If the toothache resolves completely after a couple of days from the WHITENING operation, the cause lies in the temporary hyperaemia suffered by the dental pulp

Toothache is transient, easily reversed with a dose of analgesic medication.
The patient who experiences the symptoms is subject to cold syndrome.

In all likelihood, toothache is explained by a SINUSITIS. In this case, the toothache does not have an "infectious origin."

Toothache occurs punctually in the morning, after a night's rest.
The pain is not limited to one or two teeth, but tends to involve the entire dental half-arch
The patient is going through a particularly stressed period

The symptoms just described suggest a toothache that recognizes BRUXISM (uncontrolled tooth grinding) as the main causative agent