Closing Remarks and Instructions - Toothache

MANAGEMENT OF TOOTHACHE

OBJECTIVE:

To manage a patient with a toothache.

CLOSING REMARKS AND INSTRUCTIONS:

As a physician, you will one day be consulted by a patient with a toothache. When that time comes, you must know how to manage such a patient.

1. There are innumerable causes of toothache, including the unknown ones.

2. The most common causes of toothache in whatever age, sex, and duration of symptom is inflammation and infection, of which dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis are the most common specific diseases.

3. The fastest way to get to a definite diagnosis of a toothache is to look at the teeth for abnormalities. Know the gross abnormalities suggestive or diagnostic of dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

4. Patients with toothache are usually managed by dentists who subspecialize in this specific part of the body. Thus, you may refer such patients to a dentist when needed. However, before referring to a dentist, you offer something to the patients who consult you. You can advise them on the diagnosis to allay fear and anxiety. You can relieve the pain. And lastly, you can advise them on the prevention of the cause of the toothache.

· Pls. go to more LEARNING ACTIVITIES on dental health.

ROJ@17apr28