What could be worse than a toothache? It always appears at the wrong time - at work, in transport or outside the city, where there is not even a first aid kit. How do we survive until the dentist comes to our rescue? But an even bigger problem occurs when the dentist takes a picture and… finds nothing. And it turns out that the pain doesn't go away. There are also some other diseases that are very similar to toothache. But how to recognize them?
Toothache can be different - sharp, dull or throbbing pain. A tooth usually hurts when there is caries. Food enters the cavity, irritates the nerve and causes a very unpleasant sensation.
Sometimes the tooth hurts due to the increased sensitivity of the enamel. Then the pain appears with hot, cold, sour or sweet food. Then it is good to take a special toothpaste and visit the dentist. He will check the sensitivity of your teeth. If it is enlarged, the doctor will refer you to a neurodentist who deals with nerve diseases.
The most painful pain occurs when the pulp - the soft tissue of the tooth - is inflamed. The proof that the problem is in her is a pain that spreads throughout the jaw.
If you numb the pain with a shock dose of painkillers and do not go to the dentist, it is very likely that you will get chronic pulpitis. Pain will "visit" you more than once. Purulent inflammation can spread beyond the tooth. This is already acute periodontitis. Urgent care is needed to prevent an abscess or blood infection.
You should not hesitate even if you have a slight injury to your teeth or a small piece of some of them broke off. The slightest touch to the tooth is very painful and causes an unpleasant sensation that is difficult to remove even with pills.
However, what to do if none of these symptoms are present.
But it often happens that the dentist takes a picture and… finds nothing. Meanwhile, the tooth still hurts.
The fact is that some diseases are well "disguised" as a toothache. As a rule, they are associated with the organs of vision and hearing, the cervical vertebrae and the brain. Problems with the heart and blood vessels can also affect the jaw area. An experienced and attentive dentist will certainly refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Sometimes it seems that the tooth hurts, but actually the problem is…
Trigeminal neuralgia (Pain along the course of the trigeminal nerve) - This nerve is responsible for the sensitivity of the face and mouth. If you have cooled it, the pain is very strong and similar to a toothache. A similar symptom is sometimes found after herpes. If you feel cold on your lips, tell the dentist.
Cluster headache is a syndrome of unknown origin. In classic cases, it is pain in the area of the upper jaw. It feels like a manifestation of acute pulpitis. For most people, the cluster pain worsens after consuming alcohol.
Inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) -This is a disease caused by streptococci. It is known that sometimes when you have a toothache, your ear can also hurt. The reason is the ear-nose-throat connection. So if you have otitis, the situation is the same and possibly in the whole upper jaw.
Acute sinusitis (sinusitis) The roots of the teeth of the upper jaw are located next to the parasinus sinuses. Their inflammation often mimics a toothache. In acute maxillary sinusitis, the pain can be piercing, dull or throbbing. Sometimes it manifests itself in the area of the teeth in the upper jaw. This is not felt in one tooth, but in the entire jaw.
Heart problems Pain in the lower jaw on the left side is sometimes accompanied by pain in the heart. They usually occur after physical exertion. Sometimes angina occurs. These symptoms should not be ignored. As a rule, angina is a harbinger of an acute myocardial infarction. Get re-insured and see a doctor.
Salivary stone disease In other words, stones in the salivary glands. With this disease, you feel dryness in your mouth. When the stone reaches a critical size, it blocks the salivary duct, which causes severe pain and even swelling. An X-ray is needed to make a diagnosis. The treatment is carried out by a dentist. Under local anesthesia, the stone is removed.
Pain of musculoskeletal origine. As a rule, this happens as a result of an injury to the muscles of the neck, head or jaws. The pain is consuming, dull, but sometimes worse when chewing.
Atypical conditions - A group of syndromes that do not correspond to any disease. The patient is usually convinced that he has a toothache and insists on treatment or removal of the tooth. The cause of such pain is still unknown. Some experts suggest that the nervous system is to blame. The diagnosis is made after consultation with a neurologist or psychiatrist.
Regular preventive examinations will help you not only to avoid he alth problems, but also to save time, nerves and money!
