Toothache
Throbbing, sharp or constant tooth pain is your body's signal that something needs attention.
What is toothache?
Toothache is pain in or around a tooth. It can be mild and come and go, or severe and constant. The cause can be as simple as food stuck between teeth or as serious as an infection.
Common causes
- Tooth decay reaching the inner tooth
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A lost or broken filling
- Gum infection or abscess
- Wisdom teeth coming through
- Grinding or clenching
Symptoms
- Sharp pain when biting
- Throbbing pain, often worse at night
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- Swelling around the tooth or jaw
- Fever or a bad taste in the mouth
How we treat it
Your dentist finds the cause with an examination and X-ray. Treatment may be a filling, root canal treatment, a crown, gum treatment or removing the tooth. Until your appointment, rinse with warm salty water and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Do not put aspirin on the gum.
Treatments that can help
Frequently asked questions
Will toothache go away on its own?
Pain may ease, but the cause usually remains. An infected nerve can stop hurting and still be infected.
When is toothache an emergency?
Call us the same day for severe pain or swelling. If swelling affects breathing or swallowing, go to hospital emergency.
Is it urgent? Call us the same day for severe pain, swelling or a knocked-out tooth. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call 000.