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Toothaches come in a variety of shapes and forms. Conventionally,
toothaches are often thought to only be related to tooth decays, such
as cavities. So many things have been found out about toothaches but
less people have the knowledge on toothaches. There are still many
questions regarding toothaches. For example, why did toothaches happen?
Or what are the causes of toothaches?
Typically, migraine is thought to be a headache, but migraine can also
cause toothaches. When a migraine headache is present with a migraine
toothache it can be easy to diagnose. But when a toothache is the only
symptom of migraine it can be very hard to diagnose.
Most commonly, a toothache is associated with tooth decay. Telltale
signs of tooth decay from a toothache are sharp pains when eating
sweets or changes in food and beverage temperatures, such as hot and
cold foods. If pain and discomfort is accompanied by pus and swelling
of gums, the toothache may be a sign of gum disease or an abscessed
tooth.
Continuous Neuropathic Pain is described in this section because it is
the most common nondental problem that causes toothaches. Atypical
Odontalgia - Atypical Odontalgia tends to occur in middle aged females,
feels like a continuous dull ache, continues over 4 months or years,
and tends to migrate from one tooth to another.
Neuroma and Posttraumatic Neuralgia, which is a term that represents
injury to a small nerve located in and around a tooth. Initially the
neuroma is sensitive to touch and feels like a stabbing pain. At first
the pain is treatable with topical medication. If the nerve does not
heal it becomes a continuous ache with stabs that is controllable with
systemic medicines only.
Patients feel like atypical odontalgia, neuroma, and posttraumatic
neuralgia are toothaches. It is common that in an effort to be helpful
root canal, apicoectomy, and even extraction is done to help the
patient but dental procedures do not work and the pain persists. When
dental procedures that typically help typical toothaches don’t work it
is best to assume an atypical pain and consult an orofacial pain
dentist for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Another cause of toothaches may be a result of natural occurrences.
Tooth eruption, as for babies that are teething are very common.
Similarly, wisdom teeth erupting in the molars can also cause great
pain. Toothaches of any kind should be examined by a dentist before
making a self diagnosis.
It is the muscular form of TMJ that causes toothaches of nondental
orgin. The pain is referred to teeth from knots in muscles called
myofascial trigger points.
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