National Toothache Day Date in the current year: February 9, 2024

Toothache, also known as dental pain, is pain in the teeth that can have a variety of causes. Although toothache is most commonly associated with dental diseases, it may be caused by some non-dental conditions. Severe toothache may impact eating, sleeping and other daily activities, affecting one’s quality of life.

Common causes of toothache include:

• pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp), which is typically caused by dental trauma or tooth decay;
• dental sensitivity, which may be triggered by spicy or sweet foods, low temperatures, etc.;
• periodontal conditions;
• cracked tooth syndrome;
• non-dental causes (migraines, myofascial pain syndrome, angina pectoris).

Toothache management depends on its cause. For example, toothache caused by dental hypersensitivity usually lasts a very short time and subsides on its own. Since most cases of dental pain involve inflammation, over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used to relieve it.

However, in many cases, pain relievers are just a short-term solution. It is important to treat the underlying cause of toothache in order to prevent complications. Some dental problems can actually kill you if not treated in a timely manner. For example, American actor Andy Hallett, known for his role as Lorne on the television show Angel, suffered a dental infection which spread to his heart through the bloodstream. It weakened his heart and eventually led to Hallett’s untimely death from congestive heart failure at the age of 33.

Depending on the exact cause, toothache treatment may involve drainage of pus, a filling, root canal treatment, or even tooth extraction. The good news about toothache is that in most cases it is preventable. Proper oral hygiene helps prevent the majority of dental and gum conditions, which are the most common cause of toothache. The problem is, many people don’t pay as much attention to dental hygiene as they should.

The origin of National Toothache Day is unclear, but we have a hunch that it is celebrated on February 9 because it is the feast day of Saint Apollonia who is venerated as the patroness of those suffering from toothache. According to the accounts of her martyrdom, Saint Apollonia had her teeth violently broken or pulled out. Because of this, she is typically portrayed with a pair of pincers, sometimes with a tooth in them.

There are many ways to celebrate National Toothache Day. You can give up sugar for at least a day, schedule an appointment with you dentist to have your teeth and gums checked up, promise yourself to pay more attention to oral hygiene (and then actually stick to your promise), buy a new expensive toothbrush, and spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtags #NationalToothacheDay and #ToothacheDay to remind others about the importance of dental health.