Background & Aims

Toothache is defined as pain originating from a tooth and its supporting structures, often described as the most frequent type of orofacial pain. The primary cause of toothache is untreated dental caries lesions. While a systematic review by Santos in 2022 investigated the prevalence of toothache in children, there is currently no available data for adults. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of toothache in adults.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search for studies reporting the prevalence of toothache in adults, utilizing four main databases and two grey literature sources. The study selection process adhered to the PECOS inclusion criteria: Population (P): Adults; Exposure (E): Toothache; (C): None; Outcome (O): Prevalence; Studies (S): Observational studies (including case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies).

Results

The initial search yielded 1781 studies, and following eligibility criteria, 48 studies were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of toothache was found to be 24% (95% CI 21 to 27.2; n=447,373). When categorized, the prevalence among adults was as follows: 34.6% at present, 14.5% in the past month, 19.5% in the past 6 months, and 29.0% in the past 12 months. Geographically, toothache prevalence varied as follows: 43.2% in Africa, 30.6% in Asia, 24.6% in Europe, 17.0% in South America, 15.0% in Oceania, and 13.44% in North America.

Conclusions

Based on the available evidence, this systematic review suggests that the overall prevalence of toothache in adults is 24%, with higher rates in Africa and Asia, and lower rates in Oceania and North America.

References

Santos PS, Barasuol JC, Moccelini BS, Magno MB, Bolan M, Martins-Junior PA, Maia LC, Cardoso M. Prevalence of toothache and associated factors in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2022 Feb;26(2):1105-1119. doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-04255-2. Epub 2021 Nov 18. PMID: 34791550.
Aranha RLB, Pinto RS, Abreu MHNG, Martins RC. Factors associated with toothache among Brazilian adults: a multilevel analysis. Braz Oral Res. 2020 Apr 17;34:e036. doi: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2020.vol34.0036. PMID: 32321054.
Cohen LA, Bonito AJ, Akin DR, Manski RJ, Macek MD, Edwards RR, Cornelius LJ. Toothache pain: behavioral impact and self-care strategies. Spec Care Dentist. 2009 Mar-Apr;29(2):85-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2008.00068.x. PMID: 19284508.
Vargas CM, Macek MD, Marcus SE. Sociodemographic correlates of tooth pain among adults: United states, 1989. Pain. 2000 Mar;85(1-2):87-92. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(99)00250-x. PMID: 10692606.

Presenting Author

André Porporatti

Poster Authors

Andre Porporatti

DDS, MSc, PhD - Professor

Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Oro-Faciale (EA 7543), Université Paris Cité, France

Lead Author

Ângela Graciela Deliga Schroder

DDS

NARSM (Núcleo de Revisão Sistemática e Meta-análise) – Tuiuti University of Paraná - UTP Curitiba Br

Lead Author

Ashley Lebel

Laboratoire de Neurobiologie OroFaciale, Université Paris Cité, France

Lead Author

Yves Boucher (DDS

PhD)

Chronic Oro Facial Pain Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France

Lead Author

Topics

  • Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Orofacial Pain