Which tooth aches?

Ever notice that sometimes it’s difficult to tell exactly which tooth is hurting when you have a toothache?

Researchers in Germany have studied just that issue and will soon publish an article in the journal Pain with thier conclusions. It would seem that when it comes to pain in the mouth, the brain doesn’t descriminate location nearly as well as it does in other regions of the body.

A summary of the research was recently posted to the Wired Science Blog. The article, currently only available as an electronic proof, will be published soon.

I sure hope the volunteer test subjects were well compensated for their participation!

Link to the pdf of the article is available to LSUHSC faculty staff & students. It can be accessed off-campus with a valid LSUHSC library barcode & PIN. You can find more information at our remote access webpage.