Pain in a tooth root inflammation

introduction

"When I drink something cold or warm, my tooth always hurts!" - A sentence that everyone has probably heard or uttered.

This can be the first sign of a tooth root inflammation, which usually manifests itself with a sharp pain.

It is a warning signal from our body that wants to make us aware that something is wrong.

Causes of pain

The cause of the pain is on one Inflammation of the tissue around the tooth root, the so-called tooth pulp.

Bacterial plaquethat are not removed for a long time can lead to periodontal disease. The tip of the tooth itself can become infected and become infected due to advanced tooth decay Pain signal send out.

Symptoms

Every patient reacts differently to the pain symptoms. One is a little more sensitive and perceives it earlier, while another does not notice anything over a longer period of time, so that not every periodontitis near the root is recognized immediately.

The tooth pulp is very sensitive and, when it is infected, usually manifests itself as a severe toothache. This pain can turn into a throbbing. All external influences, such as pressure under stress, cold or heat, for example when eating food, intensify the pain and the tooth reacts very sensitively to it. Eating and drinking can be torture. In some cases, after a prolonged period of pain, the joking stops suddenly. This does not mean that the inflammation has healed on its own, but is much more a sign that the surrounding pulp is beginning to die and the tooth is in danger of being lost.

Find out more here: Symptoms of tooth root inflammation

If the inflammation is left untreated, it can continue to spread. It can affect the jawbone and surrounding tissue. An abscess begins to develop, which causes a swollen cheek. In the case of an abscess, pus collects in a newly formed cavity of tissue. There is a risk that the germs will spread to other parts of the body. A dentist must be seen immediately.

Read more on the topic: Purulent tooth root inflammation

Spread of pain

The entire human organism must be understood as a complex system, so that the pain caused by a tooth root inflammation, can extend to other areas of the body. It is possible that not only the affected tooth hurts, but also the surrounding teeth or the gums emit a pain signal. This is because the affected tooth irritates the surrounding tissue. So that too definitive localization of the pain center only possible with an X-ray, for example with one Percusion test or through the Vitality check, even the surrounding teeth, can be classified as sensitive due to the irritation just mentioned.

However, it can also cause pain in the eyes, temples, or neck.

Generally one can tired and limp feel that the body has to spend a lot of energy fighting the inflammation. You are limited in your daily life.

Pain in the jaw

Pain from a tooth root inflammation can be very variable. In addition to pressing, pressure pain or severe inflammation pain, the pain of the affected tooth can also radiate to other areas. Very uncomfortable form Jaw pain in the lower and upper jaw and the temporomandibular joint, which can lead to cracking noises and joint problems. (see also: Jaw cracking and Temporomandibular joint pain)

The affected tooth in a tooth root inflammation can lie a little higher than the usual position due to the spread of the inflammatory tissue and cause discomfort when clenched. This minimal change in position can lead to TMJ problems and affect the masticatory muscles. It is no longer in its natural alignment and the muscles tense up. The symptoms can degenerate into a so-called Cranio-mandibular dysfunction forms, in short CMD. This term describes a dysregulation of the joint apparatus between the skull (lat. "cranium") and lower jaw (lat. "mandible") including all muscles and bones involved. The temporomandibular joint is able to adapt to changes, but adaptation is only possible to a certain extent. Even the slight elevation of the tooth in the inflammation of the tooth root can lead to such a disorder. If these symptoms do not arise after the root canal treatment, splint therapy may have to be initiated and the tense muscles loosened again with special physiotherapy in order to reduce the symptoms sustainably to complete relief. For this purpose a Occlusion splint prepared.

Pain after a root canal treatment

A tooth root inflammation is not only associated with complaints before the treatment, complaints are also possible after the treatment has been completed. Root canal treatment is simply an attempt to save a tooth, but it can also fail. After the last treatment step of the root canal treatment, the root filling, discomfort can arise depending on the dentist's approach. Most dentists no longer proceed manually and prepare the canals within the tooth with hand instruments, but machine the canals out.
Rotation of the machine files creates abrasion in the canal so that the rubber-like pin that is supposed to fill the canal fits perfectly and airtight into this canal. Through this process, materials in the root filling can be over-stuffed so that they push beyond the tip of the root. This can continue for a few days after the treatment Pressure discomfort to lead. The actual printing process can also cause pain for hours or days afterwards. In both cases, however, these complaints subside completely.
Complaints are also possible if the root filling does not close optimally, is too short or a canal was not found within the tooth and there is still residual tissue. The disinfection of the root canals must also be optimal for everyone bacteria removed from the tooth. If this does not happen, pain occurs, even if the root filling appears optimal.
All of these complaints are due to a medical malpractice, usually do not go away and have one Aftercare in the form of a new root filling or a root tip resection. With the latter, the roots are exposed below the gums, cut off and filled airtight from below. Before the filling, the surrounding tissues are all disinfected.
But even this last attempt does not have to be successful and can lead to further pain. In this case, the person affected should consider together with the dentist whether maintaining the tooth really still makes sense or whether the individual suffering is so unbearable that there is no other option than to remove the tooth.
In summary, it can be said that the complexity of the treatment leads to many sources of error, all of which can cause pain after the therapy and it is usually difficult to locate this focus of pain.

therapy

For tooth jokes caused by root inflammation, the first step should be this See a dentist as the inflammation must be treated immediately to prevent worse. The dentist becomes one Root canal treatment or in some cases a Apical resection perform, which quickly leads to pain relief. Even the first cut can cause a weakening, as the inflamed tissue is removed and rinsed with various solutions. As Anti-inflammatories come here chlorhexidine (2%) and Sodium hypocholride for use.

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that penetrates the bacterial cell membrane and changes it. Chlorhexidine is also found in mouthwashes and has good mucosal adhesion.

Sodium hypocholite is a commonly used one Disinfectants, which is applied to the affected area during root canal treatment and kills the bacteria.

Relieve the pain of a root inflammation

To relieve the pain until you get an appointment at the dentist, for example, painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used in the case of tooth root inflammation, which can be dosed as required and agreed with the doctor (note the package insert, special care is required during pregnancy ). Ibuprofen has the advantage that it can influence the development and maintenance of inflammatory processes. However, taking medication only temporarily relieves the pain, but does not eliminate the cause, so that prolonged use is not recommended.

Read more on the subject at: Ibuprofen for root inflammation

The use of aspirin should be reconsidered, as it has an inhibitory effect on the function of blood platelets and reduces blood clotting. Later treatment by the dentist can lead to complications due to the increased bleeding tendency.

Cooling the affected area is not generally recommended, as some patients improve but others can also worsen. This must be tested out and adjusted to the change in the pain situation.

There are also several home remedies that can provide pain relief. For example, chewing rosemary leaves several times can provide relief. Another well-known remedy is clove oil, which is applied to the affected area with the help of a cotton swab. Alternatively, cloves can also be used. Propolis is said to have an antibiotic (against bacteria), antiviral (against viruses) and antifungal (against fungi) effects. A tincture of it, mixed with a little honey, can be rubbed on the affected tooth and thereby relieve the pain. Calendula can also be used as it has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.

Compresses made from savoy cabbage leaves, onions or chamomile can be applied to the painful area from the outside.

Preventing root inflammation pain

Since this pain is called Result of inflammation caused by bacteria arise are as Prophylactic measures To mention the regular visit to the dentist, but also the daily care of the oral cavity Brushing your teeth, flossing, using mouthwashes etc. This removes the plaque and prevents the bacteria from spreading. But also one healthy eating lower the risk.

Duration

Toothache caused by tooth root inflammation not only vary greatly in shape, the duration also varies from person to person. On the one hand there are patients who are completely symptom-free after completing the root canal treatment, on the other hand there are those affected whose symptoms do not subside even after optimal root canal treatment. But how can it be possible that one and the same disease offers such variability in the duration of symptoms?
Temporal differences are between one acute and one chronic Root inflammation quite realistic. A acute Root inflammation usually has a rapid course of symptoms. Inflammation occurs quickly and symptoms progressively worsen before treatment. After successful treatment, however, the person concerned usually no longer has any complaints.
At a chronic Tooth root inflammation is the course of treatment more protracted. The symptoms appear very slowly, which is why they do not cause pain for everyone, but the course and therapy are not always completed after the root canal treatment. The inflammation below the root tip takes time to subside.
The duration of pain can also be prolonged if the medication that is introduced into the root canal does not work. If the patient is resistant to medication, the pain will last longer and an alternative medication must be used to reduce the inflammation.
If the symptoms have not subsided after medication and rinsing, the process must be repeated until the tooth is no longer painful. In general, the course of the symptoms in the case of tooth root inflammation is complex and the duration cannot be determined in advance. The duration depends on the impact of the medication, the complexity of the tooth and the success of the root canal treatment as well as the individual course of the disease. The general physical condition also plays a role, which is why the duration of the pain varies from a few days to weeks or months.

Please also read our topic on this Root canal treatment.

Tooth root inflammation without pain

Root inflammation is usually associated with severe pain, but sometimes it is called root inflammation Incidental finding discovered through an X-ray without the person experiencing pain or even noticing anything. But how can it be that the same disease causes such different reactions and symptoms?
What is certain is that everyone reacts differently to pain. In studies with test persons it has been found that the pain assessment in the brain and the pain memory are individually adapted. For example, a slight sunburn can already be very painful for one person, while others hardly notice it. Genetic ancestry also influences this issue. According to studies, northern Europeans are much less sensitive to pain than southerners. The individually pronounced pain memory, pain perception and evaluation in the brain can be shaped by experience and external influences, so a person cannot even perceive slight pain from a tooth root inflammation, because the brain inhibits pain processing and the signal does not even arrive. Doctors refer to this phenomenon as "descended pain inhibition " and is variable from person to person.

Furthermore, happiness hormones, the so-called Endorphinsthat are increasingly released during positive events such as sport and sexual intercourse, masking pain symptoms and making them not even noticeable. If the release of these messenger substances decreases, however, pain can occur again.
Furthermore, genetic defects are known in which only one chromosome in the genetic material is changed. The consequence of this is the inability to feel pain at all.

A tooth root inflammation is often completely symptom-free if it is chronic and does not develop acutely. An acute illness is associated with a rapid course of the illness, while the course of a chronic illness can stretch over years. Since in this case the disease develops so slowly, the body does not feel any pain as it can slowly get used to the painful conditions.
The inflammation below the root tip often occurs years or decades after a trigger such as a blow or fall in childhood and accompanies the patient unnoticed for a long period of life. Therefore, x-rays are advisable in a regular period of at least 2 years after such an accident in order to detect chronic tooth root inflammation at an early stage and to treat it specifically. Because it cannot be ruled out that the bacteria of a chronic tooth root inflammation can get into the bloodstream and then damage the heart and other organs. Because of this danger, any inflammation of the teeth should be treated as soon as possible in order to avoid secondary diseases at all.

Summary

A tooth root inflammation and the pain associated with it is a very uncomfortable procedure that everyone probably goes through at some point in their life. The earlier you recognize the symptoms and consult a specialist, the more tolerable the course of treatment will be and the faster the pain will disappear. If you suffer from such pain symptoms, it is advisable to go to the dentist as quickly as possible, as this can better prevent the inflammation from progressing. A Good oral hygiene is essential in any caseto prevent this and also to prevent other diseases in the oropharynx. Brushing your teeth twice a day can save you a lot of pain.