There’s a saying by Mae West – “Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache.” Toothache is a pain you feel in or around your tooth, preventing you from reliving your favourite cravings. Toothache pain can range from mild to severe and may be constant or acute. This World toothache day, let’s take this as an opportunity to focus more on the health of our teeth starting today.
The tooth is the only body part that can’t heal by itself; protect them. Those who care about their teeth don’t have to witness toothache and cavities. Therefore, it’s a perfect time to remind ourselves that toothaches are never fun and that maintaining oral health is very important.
Causes of Toothache
Some of the common causes of toothache are:
- Sensitive teeth
- Gum disease
- Impacted tooth
- Inflammation of tooth pulp
- Tooth decay
- Non-dental causes
- Abscess
- Cracked tooth
Ways to keep Toothache away
To save yourself from a toothache, we have a list of how one can keep themselves away from toothaches by taking some minor precautions:
- Brush your teeth regularly: Dentists always advise you to brush your teeth twice, once in the morning and another at night. It prevents plaque that causes tooth decay. It is also advised to brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that makes the surface of the teeth hard and strengthens it.
- Flossing regularly: Flossing is the best option to clean in between teeth. It helps to remove the debris that is stuck between teeth. It can reach where the brush can’t.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: using a hard toothbrush can lead to enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity. Therefore, it is advised to use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Avoid using teeth as apparatus: Teeth are specially designed to eat and chew foods. When we use teeth as apparatus to tear plastics, crack walnuts or open bottles, we put a lot of pressure on a thing which is strong but also brittle. We increase the risk of cracking or even breaking your teeth. It can also cause one’s teeth to wear down over time. It can affect in the long run and can impact the appearance of the teeth leading to tooth sensitivity.
- Eat a healthy diet: Sugar intake should not be excessive as limiting it contributes a lot and goes a long way in maintaining healthy teeth. A healthy and balanced diet helps to deliver nutrients to teeth which keeps teeth healthy and strong.
- Drinking water: Drinking water is an important part of the whole oral care routine. Drinking water throughout the day helps keep the mouth clean and helps prevent the building up of plaque that causes dental problems.
- Non-alcohol mouthwash: One should use non-alcohol mouthwash as it helps to reduce bacteria in one’s mouth and reduces the chances of plaque formation. Fluoride-contained mouthwashes are also available and can be considered a good option as it strengthens the teeth and fights cavities.
- Visit the dentist regularly: Regular dentist visits are important as they ensure that one’s teeth are in good condition. If any problem is detected, immediate treatment will save one from future problems.
Prevention is better than cure, and these are some ways, if applied and followed will help you save yourself from toothache trouble. Let’s pledge to stop ignoring our oral health and practice good oral hygiene to continue having stronger teeth and oral health.
