Tooth Pain and Your Brain
It has long been known that different parts of the brain correspond to different parts of the body. Even though this is true, there have not been many studies researching the link between the brain and tooth pain. A recent study sought to explore how the brain may be used to study and treat tooth pain.
In the experiment, a total of 28 subjects were studied. These subjects were broken down into two groups. In the study, an electrical stimuli was applied to the left mandibular canine portion of the brain. The first group was administered an anesthetic at the left mental foramen. The second group was only given a saline solution. The first group experienced pain relief in less than 5 minutes, while the second group felt no pain relief at all. When the second group was scanned, though, their brains showed an activation cluster in the ipsilateral posterior insula portion of the brain. This data helped to show researchers that there appears to be portions of the brain directly correlated to the sensation of tooth pain.
Tooth pain is serious and should never be ignored. In many instances, the pain will not go away, but only worsen without treatment. While nobody exactly welcomes tooth pain, it is an important tool for letting you know that something is not right with your tooth. Going to a dentist as soon as possible is always advisable, as they will be able to locate and help treat the underlying cause of the pain.
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