A NORMAL adult has 32 teeth with different functions and shapes (incisors'the sharp front teeth, canines ' next to incisors, and the large molars at the back of the mouth). All the human teeth are well adapted for biting, tearing, grinding and chewing different kinds of foods.Every tooth has 2 main parts: the crown and the root. While the crown projects above the gum, the root is fixed in the jaw by a layer of cementum.A tooth is made of four layers of tissue:(i.) The Crown (the outer layer); (ii.) the Enamel, a hard calcium-containing material; (iii) The Dentine (layer below the enamel) and (iv) the Pulp (the layer below the dentine), which contains blood vessel and sensory nerves of the teeth.Cementum is the layer that covers the dentine of the root. The periodontal ligament holds the tooth in its socket.Toothache is the pain that occurs in the area of the teeth, gums and jaws. Usually, the pain can vary from an occasional mild or dull to excruciating and persistent pain, which is very often aggravated by chewing, exposure to hot, cold or sweet foods or drinks.Causes of Toothache:Toothache can be caused by a variety of dental problems. However, the most common causes are:Tooth decay or dental cavities (caries): Tooth decay is commonly caused by excessive intake of junk foods, all forms of sugar, candy, white flour products, refined carbohydrates, cakes, biscuits, soft and fizzy drinks, etc. After eating, the debris of these foods is left in the mouth. There are certain bacteria in the mouth that convert simple sugars into acids. The acid formed then gradually softens and dissolves or disintegrates the protective tooth enamel and creates holes or cavities (in the biting surfaces, along gum lines, and surfaces between adjacent teeth), which expose the more sensitive inner dentine and pulp. The cavities can collect food debris, or the exposed dentine and pulp can be injured, irritated or rendered sensitive to cold, hot, sweet, sour or acid foods and drinks or to bacterial toxins that then cause the toothache. Also, severe injury can lead to the death of the pulp tissue and this may result in painful tooth infection or dental abscess.Gum (periodontal) diseases: Owing to poor oral hygiene, 'plaque' (a mixture of saliva, food and bacteria) may accumulate overtime under the gum lines, and this may cause painful bacterial infection, inflammation and sore of the soft tissue (gingiva). Gum disease may also result from the activities of some infective agents that may lead to the abnormal loss or the destruction of the bone that fixed the root of the tooth to the jaw. Or gum recession may result from vigorous brushing, smoking and diabetes mellitus. The unprotected and exposed root can become highly sensitive to cold, hot, sweet or sour foods and drinks; and gum bleeding or discharges or painful swelling and redness of the gum and jaws may occur.Cracked, broken or fractured tooth with or without cavities or gum disease can cause severe toothache, especially when chewing with the affected area.Toothache may also be due to the inflammation of the gum around a tooth (especially the wisdom or molar tooth at the back of the jaw), which is erupting or growing out into the mouth.Few women may experience toothache due to pregnancy.Toothache can result from the injury around the ear or the lower jaw or in the joints jaw muscles, and this is medically known as Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder.Toothache may also come up after some dental treatments ' due to the irritation of the nerves or when decay occurs under a dental filling.In some cases, toothache may not originate from a tooth or the jaw, but may be due to sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), ear infections and heart problems such as angina pectoris (pain in the chest or discomfort in the heart muscles) ' due to the narrowing and inadequate supply of oxygen to the arteries and to the heart. The pain may also radiate to the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, or back.Correct diagnosis of toothache is very important in order to rule out other health problems. A dental health-care practitioner may determine the actual cause of toothache through a thorough oral examination, dental x-rays, etc.Symptoms of Toothache:The symptoms of toothache may be seen as follows:Increased tooth root sensitivity to cold, hot, sweet, sour or acid foods and drinks.Increased discomfort or pain when chewing.Redness, swellings and inflammation of the gum or jaw.Discharges and bleeding around the affected tooth or gum.Holes or cavities in the biting surfaces, along gum lines, and surfaces between adjacent teeth.Bad breath (Halitosis) and unpleasant taste in the mouth.Darkening of the teeth cavity or between the teeth.Toothache can strike anytime without warning, and there are many home and herbal remedies that can give quick relief or prevent the death of a tooth, pulp or dental abscess which could lead to tooth extraction.We shall look at some of these remedies in our next publication.'To be continued.Mobile phone no: 08033065263,E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.
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