What should I do if my toothache cannot be relieved even after taking ibuprofen?
Generally, toothaches may be caused by reasons such as dentin hypersensitivity, dental caries, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, and wisdom tooth pericoronitis. Besides taking ibuprofen, pain can also be relieved through general treatments and medication.
1. Dentin Hypersensitivity: There are many dentinal tubules within the dentin. External stimuli can transmit through these tubules to the dental pulp, causing tooth sensitivity and pain. It is recommended to use desensitizing toothpaste during daily brushing to reduce the transmission of external stimuli. Also, avoid consuming excessively cold, hot, acidic, or sweet foods to reduce tooth irritation.
2. Dental Caries: Oral bacteria produce acid from food debris, causing demineralization of tooth hard tissues and forming cavities. When the cavity reaches the dentin layer, external cold, heat, acid, or sweetness stimuli can transmit to the pulp nerves, causing pain. It is recommended to use clove oil as directed by a physician. Clove oil has certain anesthetic and calming effects on nerves, providing temporary pain relief.
3. Pulpitis: The pulp chamber is filled with nerves and blood vessels. In an inflamed state, the pulp becomes congested and edematous, increasing pressure within the pulp chamber, which compresses the nerves and causes severe pain that is often unbearable. It is recommended to take medications such as metronidazole tablets or roxithromycin capsules under a doctor's guidance to reduce inflammation.
4. Apical Periodontitis: In apical periodontitis, inflammatory exudates accumulate in the periapical tissues, increasing pressure at the root apex and stimulating nerve endings to cause pain, especially worsening during biting. It is recommended to take medications such as cefuroxime axetil tablets or amoxicillin capsules as directed by a physician for treatment.
5. Pericoronitis of Wisdom Tooth: When there is insufficient space for the wisdom tooth to erupt, the surrounding gums can form a blind pocket where food debris and bacteria easily accumulate, causing inflammation that affects the surrounding soft tissues and alveolar bone, resulting in pain. It is recommended to use compound borax mouthwash or clindamycin hydrochloride capsules under a doctor's guidance to relieve pain.
When experiencing tooth pain, maintaining oral hygiene is important. Rinse your mouth with warm water or saline after meals. If the pain persists without relief or is accompanied by symptoms such as facial swelling and fever, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention for accurate diagnosis and standardized treatment.