Self-care tendencies and their pain-relieving effects in patients with endodontic pain: a descriptive survey

Authors : Hande Bengü, Mügem Gürel Ekici, Özlem İlk, Güven Kayaoğlu

Pages : 1-12

Doi:10.17214/gaziaot.1454105

View : 108 | Download : 147

Publication Date : 2025-01-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to search for sociodemographic/ dental models predicting the self-care orientations in endodontic patients and to explore the effectiveness of the applied methods in relieving pain. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients with a history of endodontic pain presenting at the endodontic clinic of Gazi University were subjected to a survey. Their sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained. They were asked to select from a structured list whether they had used any self- or formal care methods. Pain relief was measured using a 5-point standard Likert scale. Statistical analyses were done using multivariate logistic regression, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Benjamini-Hochberg correction. RESULTS: Among 356 patients, 90% applied self-care alone or in combination with formal care. Maximum pain level, age, and pattern of dental clinic attendance were the variables that predicted orientations to various subcategories of self-care behaviors, with the first two variables remaining statistically or marginally significant in all tested conditions (P < .05 or < .10). Among the home remedies, drinking or local application of alcohol and intraoral cold treatment by the patient provided significantly greater pain relief than the others (P = .001). Medication under the guidance of a professional was more effective than self-medication (P < .001; except for NSAIDs, which were similarly effective in both cases). CONCLUSION: Before applying to the dental school hospital, most of the patients used various self-care methods for relieving toothache. Maximum pain and age were the common covariates of various self-care orientations. Overall, formal care relieved pain better than self-care. Home remedies generally displayed little effectiveness.
Keywords : Diş ağrısı, endodonti, ev tedavisi, geleneksel tıp, halk sağlığı, uygunsuz ilaç kullanımı