The 58th annual session of the American Association of Endodontists in New Orleans, Louisiana, began with a warning from the scientific community. In
The 58th annual session of the American Association of Endodontists in New Orleans, Louisiana, began with a warning from the scientific community. In a terse message, the dentists said that all toothache need not have dental origins and that toothache should not be ignored because it may be the early warning for more important problems. Especially in the third world countries, dental care and hygiene has never received its due importance from the masses. So much so that patients visit dentists only with terminal problems or when the pain becomes unbearable.
A small problem is easier to cure but because of the lackadaisical attitude of the patients, the problem is allowed to mushroom into a major problem the treatment for which is complicated. Dr. Stephen Cohen of the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, California, while addressing the participants told that pain that appears to be tooth-related could often be traced to another problem entirely. Pain radiating to the temple may be related to temporomandibular joint disorder, which is pain and discomfort associated with the joint that hinges the lower jaw. Sinus infections, particularly during allergy season, can be a common source of tooth pain he added. All the dentists opined that good dental hygiene and regular dental check up can prevent major problems and with timely treatment, major dental defects can be treated satisfactorily.
