Find an Orthodontist to Help You with a Toothache

The first thing to do when experiencing a toothache is to assess the tooth and surrounding area. Sometimes, the reason for a toothache is obvious; other times, not so much. Depending on the cause of a toothache, seeking the help of an orthodontist may be more appropriate than a general dentist. The following article will highlight the most common toothache types, causes, and orthodontic remedies.

Types of toothaches

Dull

Dull pain refers to a general sensation of discomfort in the teeth, lips, and gums. Most try to remedy this toothache at home before seeking professional treatment. However, this dull pain can indicate serious developing issues, such as an abscess.

Sharp pain

Sharp pain occurs suddenly and lasts for a short time. Those who experience this type of ache need to schedule an appointment immediately because there is likely damage to the tooth and its root.

Throbbing

A throbbing pain toothache can be felt throughout the face, head, and neck area, indicating inflammation present in one or more nerves in the jawbone (temporomandibular joint).

Causes of a toothache

There are several reasons to experience toothaches, and knowing what may be causing them is important.

Impacted teeth

If a tooth grows at an angle or is not positioned properly, it can irritate other teeth or gums as it grows inwards toward the jawbone. Usually, no bleeding is associated with these teeth, but there may be swelling and pain.

Malocclusions

Misaligned teeth can cause many problems, including toothaches in multiple areas of the mouth. If one has crooked or twisted teeth, a crossbite, an overbite, an underbite, diastema, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), they have a malocclusion.

Orthodontic appliances

Appliances can include braces, clear aligners, headgear, palatal expanders, and more. At times, especially at the beginning of treatment, they can cause pain in the teeth and gums as the mouth tries to find its new normal.

Orthodontic remedies

Orthodontists have various methods of treating toothaches, some more discreet than others, but all are effective. The orthodontist will likely recommend traditional braces for impacted teeth and moderate to severe cases of malocclusions. Traditional (metal) braces are the most common orthodontic remedy used today. They are wires and brackets bonded to the teeth with glue or cement and adjusted during regular checkups until the original problem is resolved and the teeth are aligned. Not every malocclusion requires braces, some may require a palatal expander to widen the jaw, or those with the most extreme cases may require oral surgery or headgear.

Sometimes, while the orthodontic appliances are correcting an issue, they can cause pain when a patient eats or constantly. If the pain continues after the first week or two after receiving the appliance, patients are encouraged to return to the orthodontist to have the appliance adjusted. It can be as simple as readjusting the appliance’s fit or seeing if part of the appliance broke off inside the mouth. The orthodontist will fix the broken appliance (if necessary) or provide additional support for pain, such as dental wax. They may also prescribe pain medication in the form of pills, gels, creams, and mouth rinses.