About The Video
In this candid episode of the Bite Angle Podcast, Dr Erin and Dr Peng Ru who are former NUS classmates, share their own experiences with toothaches, from sore wisdom teeth to braces and sensitive teeth. They talk about how dental pain can come from many places, not just cavities, and why it’s important to look at the whole mouth, including the gums, muscles, and jaw, when figuring out where pain is coming from.
They explain how dentists ask the right questions to understand your pain, like how long it’s been going on, what makes it worse, and where exactly it hurts. X-rays can help too. You’ll also hear about common causes of toothache, including decay, cracks, gum issues, or even grinding your teeth. Most importantly, they share helpful tips on what you can do at home and when it’s time to see a dentist.
Toothaches can feel scary and frustrating but the good news is, there’s usually a reason behind the pain, and help is available. Sometimes it's caused by a cavity, but other times it might be sensitive gums, a cracked tooth, or even tight jaw muscles from clenching or grinding (especially when we’re stressed!). That’s why it’s so important not to wait until the pain gets bad. A regular dental check-up can often catch problems early before they turn into something more serious. If pain does happen, over-the-counter painkillers like Panadol or ibuprofen can help in the short term, but seeing a dentist is still the best next step.
Treatments can range from a simple filling or cleaning to more involved care like a root canal or tooth removal if needed. The key takeaway is: Don’t wait until it hurts. Prevention really is better than cure especially when it comes to your teeth. Finally, the conversation reminds us that oral health anxiety can be a barrier; empathetic communication, modern anesthetics, and gentle technologies like airflow polishing can turn a painful crisis into an opportunity for long‑term oral‑health engagement.