By: Samsideen Ajadi
Tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches for most children and adults. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on the sugars and starches in the food one eats. These bacteria form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of the teeth. Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of teeth (enamel), creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation of pain when one eats something sweet, very cold or very hot.
Other causes of toothache can include; accumulation of food and debris between teeth, especially if teeth have spacing between them, infection at the root of the tooth or in the gums and well as trauma to the tooth, including injury or grinding your teeth.
Typically, the tooth is lifted using an elevator , and using dental forceps , rocked back and forth until the periodontal ligament has been sufficiently broken and the supporting alveolar bone has been adequately widened to make the tooth loose enough to remove. When teeth are removed with forceps, slow, steady pressure is applied with controlled force.
The other way is surgical extractions, which involves the removal of teeth that cannot be easily accessed, either because they have broken under the gum line or because they have not erupted fully. Surgical extractions almost always require an incision. In a surgical extraction, the doctor may elevate the soft tissues covering the tooth and bone and may also remove some of the overlying and/or surrounding jawbone tissue with a drill or osteotome.
Frequently, the tooth may be split into multiple pieces to facilitate its removal. Surgical extractions are usually performed under a general anaesthetic.
Meanwhile, removal is always an option but not the only option. Extraction is rarely the only or best option.
However here in Nigeria, in respective of the severity of the depth of the problem, the only option is extraction. Patients, from past experiences are not helping the matter either. Anyone having toothache easily calls the dentists to inquire the cost of extraction, rather than going for proper check up and diagnosis. Today’s Dentistry Researcher, Dr. Darryl Marsh, attests to this view.
Speaking on his Nigeria experience, Dr Darryl Marsh, says when one has toothache, the severity of the depth of the problem will generally determine the treatment that will be required. In his words, “The worst case is that the tooth is in savable and that you are going to need to have it extracted but often there are other situation that are aren’t as dire as drastic as that”.
Meanwhile, not knowing that not all cases require extraction. Some needs filling and some might be something that is not a toothache at all, it could be a muscular problem.
Teeth extraction are done in two ways: simple extractions are performed on teeth that are visible in the mouth, usually under local anaesthetic, and require only the use of instruments to elevate and/or grasp the visible portion of the tooth.
Further more, toothache may result from an infection that can be prevented rather than needing the tooth for extraction. The following are cases where this may be the case: A gum infection, A bite on the tooth muscular spasms and trigeminal neuralgia: a nerves infection on facial nerves.
It must be stated here that, Nigerian dentists community should engage in proper awareness to educate Nigerians on the importance of diagnosis before treating any teeth related issues. In other words, there is a need for massive orientation of Nigerians towards their teeth care.
Similarly, it must be pointed that the dentists community must play their part and be awake to their responsibilities.
Muhammed Moshood 
Leave a comment