Do you also love eating guava, just like I do? This outside green and inside creamy white/pink fruit with crunchy seeds is delicious in taste and rich in nutrients. Have you ever heard that a guava seed caused toothache? Well yes, this tasty guava bite may sometimes cause a toothache and make you visit a dentist.
Let me tell you about a case in which this humble “poor man’s apple” (guava fruit) became an unexpected reason for visiting a dentist. Let's learn how a tiny guava seed turned an ordinary snack into an unexpected dental problem.
In Indian markets guavas are available almost the whole year but according to a study, winter-season guava fruits are sweeter and superior in quality. On one such winter day, a patient came with a pain in his tooth that was related to guava.
Patient Visited a Dental Clinic with a Complaint of Guava Seed Caused Toothache
A male patient aged 35 years visited a dental clinic with a complaint of moderate to severe pain in the left side of the lower jaw. The pain was continuous in nature. He complained that the guava seed caused toothache as the pain started after a guava seed stuck between his last and second-last teeth on the lower left side.
He noted that he took one painkiller tablet for the toothache the previous night.
He described that the pain started after eating a guava chaat the previous evening and he had not been comfortable chewing from that side since then.
The Dentist Performed a Clinical Examination to Rule Out How Guava Seed Caused Toothache?
The dentist examined the patient clinically. There was pain on tapping the lower left second molar. Interestingly, the tooth looked normal from the occlusal surface (chewing surface of the tooth).
There was a partially erupted third molar (wisdom tooth) behind the second molar.
The dentist took an X-ray, which showed a deep cavity in the second molar below the occlusal surface in the distal aspect. In other words, there was interproximal (the space between two adjacent teeth) caries in the second molar that was deep enough to include the pulp.
X-ray also showed a partially erupted third molar that was obliquely placed with its crown facing towards the second molar. This malaligned position of wisdom tooth had created a favourable conditions for food lodgement. Thus, frequent food lodgement in that space might have caused a cavity in the second molar tooth.
The dentist explained that the guava seed had likely become stuck in the cavity. As the cavity was deep enough to involve the innermost layer of the tooth (pulp), the food lodgement had triggered the toothache
Treatment Plan: Root Canal Treatment and Wisdom Tooth Extraction
The dentist advised that the second molar required root canal treatment. The oblique position of partially erupted wisdom tooth was also contributing to food lodgement and may be the reason for developing caries in its adjacent second molar.
So, the dentist also recommended removing the partially erupted third molar before placing a crown (cap) on the root canal treated second molar.
The patient agreed to the proposed treatment plan.
Removal of the Guava Seed That Caused Toothache
As the patient wanted to start the treatment, the dentist initiated the root canal treatment of the second molar. He administered the local anesthesia and started removing decayed tooth structure.
As the dentist reached the cavity floor, he removed the guava seed and other food particles trapped in the cavity.
The first step of root canal treatment was then completed. The dentist discharged the patient after prescribing medication and giving post-operative instructions.
Over the next two visits, the root canal treatment of the second molar got completed. During the third visit, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon also removed the wisdom tooth.
Restoring the Tooth with Crown
The dentist recalled the patient for follow-up, 25 days after the wisdom tooth removal. The soft tissue had healed by this time, so the dentist shaped the lower left second molar and took measurements for the crown.
Within 3 days the crown was ready and fixed onto the tooth.
The patient was happy with the treatment and was able to chew comfortably from the left side without any complaint. The treatment removed the guava seed that caused toothache.
Guava Seed Caused Toothache, Did It?
Not exactly, but it triggered the toothache.
The cavity was already there, if it had not been the guava seed, another food particles were going to cause toothache sooner or later.
The important lesson here is not to ignore the food sticking between your teeth frequently.
If there is a cavity in the mouth, it is obvious that a guava seed or any such food particles may get stuck in it and cause toothache.
If the cavity is deep (involving pulp) like in the present case, food lodgement may cause pain or sensitivity and the tooth may require extensive procedure such as root canal treatment.
Simple filling can restore the cavity if detected at an early-stage. Routine dental examinations may help detect such caries.
Routine dental check-ups may also help identify improperly positioned or partially erupted wisdom teeth that may create problems to adjacent teeth.
Frequent Food Lodgement May Indicate a Hidden Dental Problem
Do not ignore food getting repeatedly stuck in your teeth and visit the dentist, as it may be a sign of one of the following:
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A cavity in the tooth
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Caries in between the two teeth (interproximal caries)
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Partially erupted/ Improperly positioned wisdom tooth
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Malaligned teeth
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Gum disease increasing the space between two adjacent teeth
Importance of Routine Dental Care
It involves brushing, tongue cleaning, flossing (cleaning in between the teeth), and gargling. Everyone should follow each of these steps as a part of a healthy oral care routine to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Regular Dental Check-Ups Matter
A regular dental check-up can detect many dental problems including early caries, gingivitis (inflammation of gums) etc. Preventive dental procedures such as fillings or teeth cleaning (scaling) can treat these early stage dental problems.
This may help prevent more complex procedures such as root canal treatment or treatment of periodontitis.
Key Takeaway:
Thus, a guava seed acted like a small but mighty one here. It seems harmless but in this case it became a trigger that exposed the underlying existing dental problem.
The real lesson is not to stop eating guava but to take action by visiting a dentist if food is repeatedly getting stuck in your teeth causing toothache.
Enjoy your food but don’t ignore what your teeth are trying to tell you after each bite.
Stop blaming the food for causing toothache. The problem is your ignorance towards dental care.
Everything that we use requires maintenance and our teeth and gums are no exception. Following a good oral care routine and visiting a dentist at regular intervals may help detect dental problems at an early stage and prevent them from progressing further.
Disclaimer:
The information shared here is for educational purpose only and can not replace the clinical examination by a dentist. For any problems related to teeth and gums, one must consult a qualified dental professional.
About the Author:
Dr Zankhana Shah is a dentist with around 10 years of experience in clinical dentistry. She has a special interest in medical writing and loves to write educational content related to healthcare including dentistry, diet, nutrition, fitness, wellness, new research in dentistry etc.
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