Claúdio Ferreira Nurse Coordinator LUZ 24 Toothaches can have many causes . More often, in both children and adults, they are caused by tooth decay . Pain can even be the first sign of tooth decay. Other common causes are: Inflammations and infections in tooth roots or gums, sometimes with abscess formation; Trauma , with or without fracture of the crown or tooth root; Teeth eruption ; Accumulation of food residues between teeth. Depending on its cause, toothaches may need a dentist. In some cases, they are resolved at home with some care, which can also be adopted until the necessary dentist care is available. Relieve toothache Remove residues that may have accumulated between the teeth using dental floss or a dental brush; Have a mouthwash with warm water; If trauma was the cause, apply cold externally to the cheek in the area of the affected tooth (or teeth), about 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours, during the first 12 hours after the trauma. The source of cold can be ice, which should not be applied directly to the skin, but protected with a gauze pad, cloth, or something similar; If there is bleeding, compress directly on the site using a clean swab or tea bag. Compress gently for about 10 minutes, remove, and check if it has resolved. If not, repeat the operation; Unless otherwise indicated, an over-the-counter analgesic can be taken, chosen and administered in an age-appropriate dose. Seek medical attention You should seek the care of a dentist or contact the attending physician when the above measures do not alleviate the pain or the pain exceeds 48 hours, or whenever are present the following symptoms : Fever; Break or loss of teeth, blows or sores in the mouth caused by trauma; Sensitivity of teeth to touch, cold or hot; Headache or dizziness; Swelling, redness of the gums, aggravation of pain, foul odor or odor different from the usual one, strange taste in the mouth; Bleeding that was not resolved with the measures applied; Difficulty opening and closing the mouth, articulating words, breathing, or swallowing. Prevent toothaches A good dental hygiene is the first step in preventing tooth decay, infections and the toothaches they cause. Learn about good dental hygiene practices here: In children ; In adults . Prevention of falls measures and care to avoid injuries are also measures to prevent toothaches that may be a consequence. And, in young children , care is never excessive: Teach them not to put anything in their mouths other than eating or drinking; Do not feed them or let them eat (or treats) while on the move, whether on foot (walking or running) or during transportation; Always use the age-appropriate protective devices for sports and other everyday activities; Seek advice from your pediatrician about topically applied products to alleviate pain associated with tooth eruption. If you need to, call LUZ 24 – 217 104 424 – the Hospital da Luz clinical triage service, by phone, available 24 hours, 365 days, for adults and children. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
