Toothache can only be felt for a moment, but can also be felt continuously. Toothache that doesn’t go away is certainly annoying, so you also need to know how to deal with it. Usually, if the pain doesn’t go away even though you’ve taken medication, it’s a sign that you need to get immediate treatment from a doctor.
Causes of persistent toothache
When your toothache doesn’t go away, it’s a sign that there is ongoing infection and inflammation there. The existing infection damages the tooth nerve, even triggering the formation of an abscess at the tip of the tooth root.
This condition actually starts with a small hole that is not treated and over time it gets bigger. When the hole gets bigger, the damage that occurs also gets deeper.
On the inside of the tooth there is pulp which contains tissue, nerves and blood vessels. When a tooth has a cavity or crack, air and germs can enter the tooth, then irritate and infect the nerves in the sensitive pulp. This is what causes toothache.
If this is the case, the toothache is usually dull, but consistent. When inflammation is severe, toothache can spread to other areas including the jaw and head. At certain times, toothache can feel sharp but this rarely happens.
How to deal with persistent toothache
Treatment for prolonged toothache depends on the conditions of each case. The doctor will examine the condition of the teeth before recommending the type of treatment for persistent toothache.
Some treatment options for persistent toothache include:
1. Toothache medicine
Pain relievers and antibiotics can relieve toothache symptoms and eliminate infection. However, the effect of toothache medication is only temporary and the excruciating pain can recur if the main cause is not treated completely.
2. Dental fillings
Tooth filling is the most effective way to relieve toothache that doesn’t go away. Note that the hole is not too big to damage the nerves.
3. Root canal treatment
If the tooth cavity is very large and the tooth nerve has been damaged, then the solution to relieve the prolonged pain you feel is root canal treatment.
After the treatment is complete, the dentist will permanently fill the tooth so that its shape can return to normal. However, if the damage to the crown is very large but the roots are still strong, then a dental crown, inlay or onlay can be installed.
4. Extract teeth
Tooth extraction is a way to treat teeth that are so badly damaged that root canal treatment is no longer possible.
Severe tooth infections that are not treated can spread to other areas, including the jawbone, face, throat and head. This condition can be fatal and possibly even life threatening.
Visit a doctor immediately if the toothache is accompanied by fever, lasts more than a day, causes problems biting or chewing, swelling, red gums, difficulty swallowing, or is accompanied by an unpleasant taste or smell.
Likewise, if a tooth breaks or falls out, immediately visit a dentist before it causes toothache that doesn’t go away.
