The upper tooth hurts and then the lower tooth hurts too

Toothache is a common phenomenon in life. When toothache occurs, it will have a great impact on the patient's life and work. When toothache symptoms appear, timely treatment should be carried out. If the treatment is not timely, when the toothache symptoms become serious, it will cause a greater impact on the patient's physical health. Many patients will experience toothache on the upper teeth at the beginning, and if they do not pay attention, they will also experience toothache on the lower teeth.

The upper tooth hurts and then the lower tooth also hurts. It is considered that the symptoms are caused by pulpitis and can be treated by killing the nerve. If the pain of pulpitis is not localized, killing the nerve is required.

Symptoms of pulpitis

What are the symptoms of pulpitis?

Different pulpitis symptoms may vary slightly. For patients, it is mainly spontaneous pain or pain when biting something, or pain caused by external stimuli such as cold or heat.

(1) Reversible pulpitis:

When the affected tooth is exposed to cold, hot, sour or sweet stimulation, there will be momentary pain, and there will be no spontaneous pain without external stimulation.

(2) Acute pulpitis:

Sudden severe pain occurs without any external stimulation, and the pain comes in waves; the pain occurs at night; the pain is caused by hot or cold stimulation, and when the pulp is suppurated, it manifests as hot pain and cold relief; it is impossible to locate which tooth hurts, and the pain is radiating or involved, and can radiate to the face, temples, and ears, but the pain will not radiate to the opposite side.

(3) Chronic pulpitis:

Sometimes there is paroxysmal dull pain or dull pain; there is a long history of pain caused by cold or hot stimulation; biting the affected tooth is uncomfortable or slightly painful; it is possible to locate which tooth is affected.

(4) Retrograde pulpitis:

During periodontal disease, bacteria in the periodontal pocket enter the dental pulp through the apical foramen, causing pulpitis, which may have symptoms of acute or chronic pulpitis.

What tests are needed for pulpitis?

(1) Pulp vitality temperature test:

Place cold water, a small popsicle or hot gutta-percha on the surface of the tooth. If there is no reaction, it means the pulp is necrotic. Momentary pain indicates reversible pulpitis. Severe pain indicates acute pulpitis. Slow pain indicates chronic pulpitis.

(2) Electrical testing of dental pulp vitality:

Place a probe on the surface of the tooth, listen to the doctor's instructions, and raise your hand to signal the doctor when you feel a tingling sensation. At the same time, the same examination will be performed on the teeth on the opposite side as a control.

(3) Bite diagnosis:

If the tooth is suspected to be cracked, place a small cotton ball or cotton swab on the tooth. If there is a crack, it will be painful when you bite down.

(4) Experimental preparation of the hole:

When the doctor is unsure whether the nerve is alive, he will directly grind the tooth with a dental drill. If there is no pain, it means the pulp is dead; if there is a sharp pain, it means the pulp is not dead and anesthesia is needed before continuing treatment.

(5) Dental films:

In the oral radiology department, sit on a chair under the doctor's instructions. The doctor will put a postage-stamp-sized film in your mouth against your teeth. He will teach you how to put your fingers into your mouth to press the film, keep it still and wait for the doctor to come back to take out the film. Then you can wait for the film to come out. Dental X-rays can reflect the presence of secondary caries, interproximal caries, crown and root fractures, hidden cracks, apical inflammation, etc., and are also helpful for the next step of root canal treatment.