Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking

Merve Gökyar; İdil Özden; Hesna Sazak Öveçoğlu

doi:10.65022/clindentres.1832045

Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking

Abstract

Background and Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate home-based methods used by individuals to manage toothache and to explore their associations with oral health and sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 327 participants completed a structured questionnaire, and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores were determined through clinical and radiographic examination. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses (Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests, p < 0.05) were performed. Results: The most common self-care practices for toothache included self-medication with analgesics (72.0%), and homebased remedies, including saltwater rinses (55.8%), and herbal methods (65.2%); however, only 16.5% of participants perceived these methods as safe and effective. Education level was significantly associated with both the first response to toothache (p = 0.021) and DMFT index (p = 0.004). Moreover, education correlated positively with consulting online sources (p < 0.001) and health professionals (p = 0.038), while gender was associated with choosing pharmacist advice (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Although home-based self-care practices for toothache are widespread, they provide only temporary relief and may delay appropriate endodontic care. Enhancing oral health literacy and promoting timely professional consultation could improve both endodontic and community oral health outcomes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

NONE

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Marmara University (Approval No: 27.03.2025 / 67).

Thanks

NONE

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Merve Gökyar ^*
0000-0002-2735-156X
Türkiye

İdil Özden
0000-0003-0838-4355
Türkiye

Hesna Sazak Öveçoğlu
0000-0003-4709-422X
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 29, 2026

Submission Date

November 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 50 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1832045

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA78ZB78PD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Gökyar, M., Özden, İ., & Sazak Öveçoğlu, H. (2026). Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking. Clinical Dentistry and Research, 50(1), 56-65. https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1832045

AMA

1.Gökyar M, Özden İ, Sazak Öveçoğlu H. Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking. Clin Dent Res. 2026;50(1):56-65. doi:10.65022/clindentres.1832045

Chicago

Gökyar, Merve, İdil Özden, and Hesna Sazak Öveçoğlu. 2026. “Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association With Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking”. Clinical Dentistry and Research 50 (1): 56-65. https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1832045.

EndNote

Gökyar M, Özden İ, Sazak Öveçoğlu H (April 1, 2026) Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking. Clinical Dentistry and Research 50 1 56–65.

IEEE

[1]M. Gökyar, İ. Özden, and H. Sazak Öveçoğlu, “Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking”, Clin Dent Res, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 56–65, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.65022/clindentres.1832045.

ISNAD

Gökyar, Merve - Özden, İdil - Sazak Öveçoğlu, Hesna. “Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association With Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking”. Clinical Dentistry and Research 50/1 (April 1, 2026): 56-65. https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1832045.

JAMA

1.Gökyar M, Özden İ, Sazak Öveçoğlu H. Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking. Clin Dent Res. 2026;50:56–65.

MLA

Gökyar, Merve, et al. “Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association With Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking”. Clinical Dentistry and Research, vol. 50, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 56-65, doi:10.65022/clindentres.1832045.

Vancouver

1.Merve Gökyar, İdil Özden, Hesna Sazak Öveçoğlu. Toothache-Related Self-Care Practices and Their Association with Oral Health and Professional Care-Seeking. Clin Dent Res. 2026 Apr. 1;50(1):56-65. doi:10.65022/clindentres.1832045