Pain at the root of the tooth

introduction

Pain in the Tooth root are widespread and usually lead to the unpopular visit to the dentist. Affected complain about a Feeling of pressure, one pulsating pain and one uncomfortable swelling.

The pain perception can vary individually. The subjective sensation often influences the severity of the pain. Therefore, the pain intensity fluctuates from bearable to unbearable, as the pain inhibition of the brain and the emotional processing is different from person to person. It is also not uncommon for the pain to radiate to other regions of the face or head. This is also often shown Gums (Gingiva) pathologically changed and causes complaints. The gingiva is over of the Root tip reddened and swollen and usually heated somewhat thermally, which leads to a burning, uncomfortable feeling and hypersensitivity.

causes

Reasons for this picture of suffering can be of various kinds. Probably the most common cause describes the popularly known tooth root inflammation or apical periodontitis. Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory reaction that affects the tissue around the tooth root and is the result of a bacterial infection of the pulp of a dead tooth.

The inflammation can move from the infected tooth pulp to the tip of the root and infiltrate the surrounding tissue, including the bone. In addition to the feeling of pressure and pulsating pain, the tooth can also become sensitive to bite. The gums around the root of the tooth are severely inflamed, swollen, red, hot and painful even to the touch.

Read more on the topic: Symptoms of root inflammation

If not treated, the aggressive form of tooth decay can penetrate the pulp, infect the nerves and lead to a tooth root inflammation with accompanying pain.

Another cause of the discomfort at the tooth root is a fracture (break) below the gingiva in the longitudinal axis of the tooth. This break is caused, for example, by a fall or mechanical irritation. The bacteria now have a free path to spread in the fracture gap and infect the pulp. Those affected perceive this reaction as an inflammatory pain at the tooth root.

Even a trauma (injury), for example from a blow in childhood, can still lead to tooth root inflammation decades later and thus pain at the tip of the root.

You might also be interested in: Pulp necrosis

Another cause is generalized periodontitis, which changes to local apical periodontitis and affects individual root tips. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the tooth supporting structure. The tip of the root becomes inflamed and the tooth can develop severe pain.

Read more on the topic: Periodontal disease

Swelling of the gums is also realistic, as is the case with classic tooth root inflammation.

Pain at the root of the tooth from a cold

A cold not only leads to Sore throat, to cough, head- and Body aches and a runny nose. Many people who suffer from a flu-like infection often complain of toothache and increasingly go to a dentist. Most people are not aware that these toothaches often have no cause in the teeth themselves. The pain is mostly localized on the teeth in the upper jaw. This is due to the anatomical proximity of the maxillary teeth to the maxillary sinus.

Influenza infections manifest themselves through, among other things Bacteria in the maxillary sinus. The roots of the maxillary teeth often even protrude into the maxillary sinus and are therefore directly related to the bacterial environment of the infected maxillary sinus. These bacteria can cause tooth root pain that can become so severe that medication has to be taken and the dentist has to be visited. Inflammation of the tooth root as a result of a cold is possible.

diagnosis

If there is any kind of pain at the tooth root, going to the dentist is advisable, although the diagnosis does not always have to be very simple and clear. Usually one is from the affected pain region X-ray image prepared.

On this is an apical periodontitis dark shadow can be seen below the root tip, which suggests this disease. However, if the persistent pain is caused by a acute inflammation of the tooth pulp ( Pulpitis), only the nerve tissue within the pulp is inflamed and the inflammation has not yet penetrated to the tip of the root. If the X-ray does not show any abnormal changes, other tests must be used at this point.

First, the dentist does one Vitality test by, by holding something cold to the affected tooth. If the patient does not feel a subjective feeling of cold on the corresponding tooth, the nerve is already damaged or dead and the process of metabolism by bacteria has already started.

Another diagnostic aid is described by the Percussion testwhere the dentist taps the affected tooth with a blunt instrument. This knocking is usually very uncomfortable and painful for those affected with tooth root inflammation, as the tooth irritates the inflamed tissue through the knocking. A palpation (palpation) along the gingiva can also help clarify the diagnosis, as this allows a possible swelling to be felt.

Concomitant symptoms

Some side effects can support the actual pain at the tooth root. The Gums The typical signs of inflammation can develop at the tip of the root: Es swells on, blushes, becomes hot, hurts and is not in its healthy working condition. Simply touching the gingiva leads to strong pain sensations. Cold drinks and food are often pain relievers. There is also the possibility that the pain radiates to the root of the tooth and reaches other areas of the head. Those affected often complain head- and Earache.

What to do if there is pain at the root of the tooth?

In any case, with severe perception in the tooth root area, these complaints must be taken seriously in order to avoid more serious complications and consequences such as Tooth loss to avoid. Those affected should go to the dentist early in order to have a clarifying diagnosis and to treat the problem as early as possible. If the tooth root pain is apical periodontitis, it can spread further and also lead to systemic problems.

If left untreated, there is a risk that bacteria that trigger inflammation at the tooth root can also reach the heart. In the worst case, these bacteria lead to heart- and Circulatory diseases, which is why caution, precaution and aftercare are required. The dentist often prescribes an antibiotic to help reduce the symptoms as quickly as possible and destroy all bacteria so that they cannot reach the heart in the first place.

Home remedies

People who suffer from tooth root pain often use home remedies to relieve pain before they can overcome themselves to see a dentist. The Chew on rosemary leaves, of the Juice from boiled down savoy cabbage leaves or that Rub in clove oil and clove are well-known home remedies. The essential oils in rosemary are said to relieve pain at the root of the tooth. The juice of the boiled cabbage should also promise an improvement on a compress as a kind of wound dressing. The oldest home remedy when it comes to teeth is clove oil. Clove oil has a calming effect on the gums and has been used in the oral cavity for thousands of years.

Despite the positive effects of some home remedies, perhaps they can temporarily a Pain relief cause, however, they will cause the pain does not heal sustainably because they do not reach the root tip. All home remedies only reach the gums and can improve local irritation, but the bacteria at the tip of the root remain and remain untouched, thus continuing to cause discomfort. Therefore should Home remedies only supportive Can be used alongside dental therapy and not as the sole therapy. It is advisable to clarify this with the treating dentist.

homeopathy

There are now also dentists who use homeopathy in addition to traditional therapy. However, this cannot replace the classic treatment path. In naturopathy, there can be very different treatment options for the same problem. Homeopathic medicines do not work for everyone and it is important to find the specific preparation that can help for the individualized problem. One can credit homeopathy for the fact that it also treats the often weakened immune system of those affected. In the case of tooth root inflammation, preparations made from the Marigold used, but there is no scientific evidence that apical periodontal disease can be cured by treatment with this ingredient alone. As an additional supportive therapy in addition to the classic, there is nothing wrong with homeopathy in order to strengthen the immune system again.

Antibiotics

In the case of pain at the tooth root due to apical periodontitis, the dentist often prescribes a supplementary treatment to the classic treatment antibiotic. If the tooth root inflammation already assumes a purulent form and forms abscess, this drug is almost always prescribed. An antibiotic works exclusively against bacteria and on the one hand it can prevent the bacteria from multiplying, on the other hand it can kill them directly, which depends on the subgroup of the antibiotic and the mode of action.

The antibiotic has no function against viruses and fungi. The antibiotic can fight the bacteria more quickly and is particularly useful for patients who already suffer from cardiovascular diseases, so that the bacteria below the root tip cannot even get into the systemic circulation.

Every dentist must weigh up whether a classic therapy through trepanation and Root canal treatment such as filling sufficient or a supportive antibiotic is to be taken. Not to be forgotten is that every antibiotic Side effects and these need to be reconsidered.

The antibiotic fights all bacteria, including the all-important intestinal bacteria Escherichia coli, which we need for digestion. This not infrequently results Digestive problems and diarrhea after taking antibiotics. Furthermore, when taking it, it should be borne in mind that an antibiotic is taken even when the symptoms are free to prevent possible Formation of resistance to avoid. A constant drug level of the antibiotics in the blood is crucial to achieve optimal therapeutic success. If the antibiotic is discontinued too early, the drug level in the blood drops quickly and not all bacteria are fully fought.

Duration of antibiotic use

When taking antibiotics, care should be taken to take them very carefully. We often prescribed the antibiotic preparation Amoxicillin prescribed which 3 times a day in the form of tablets taken with 1000mg each. The duration of the intake is variable, depending on how well the drug works. The antibiotic should continue to be taken for at least 2 days after pain relief. If the antibiotic is discontinued as soon as pain relief occurs, it is possible that not all bacterial strains have been killed and the protozoa that are still present against the antibiotic one resistance form. The duration and dose should always be discussed with a doctor.