Toothache

Toothache is pain in or around a tooth or the jaw. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis: common causes include tooth decay, inflammation of the pulp (pulpitis), a tooth abscess, a cracked tooth, gum problems, exposed roots and erupting wisdom teeth. Pain felt in the teeth can also come from the sinuses or the jaw muscles.

Why It Matters

The pattern of the pain gives useful clues, but only an examination can confirm the cause. Decay often causes no pain until it is close to the pulp, so by the time a tooth aches the problem may already need more than a simple filling. Painkillers can make you comfortable while you wait for an appointment, but they do not treat the cause.

Clinical Details

• Brief, sharp pain to cold or sweet: Usually sensitivity from exposed dentin or early pulp inflammation, especially if it stops within seconds.
• Lingering or spontaneous throbbing pain: Often a sign of irreversible pulpitis, particularly if it keeps you awake or lasts long after the trigger is removed.
• Pain on biting with swelling: Suggests infection around the root or in the gum, such as an abscess.
• Sharp pain when releasing a bite: A typical sign of a cracked tooth.
• Dull ache across several upper back teeth: Can be caused by sinusitis rather than the teeth themselves, especially with nasal congestion.
• Diagnosis and treatment: Examination, cold and bite tests and X-rays identify the cause. Treatment ranges from a filling or desensitising treatment to root canal treatment or extraction.

FAQ

How can I relieve toothache until I see a dentist?

Take over-the-counter painkillers as directed on the pack or by a pharmacist, avoid very hot, cold or sugary food and drink, and keep the area clean. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, as it can burn the tissue.

Can toothache go away on its own?

Pain sometimes stops because the nerve inside the tooth has died, not because the problem has healed. Infection can continue silently, so the tooth should still be checked.

When is toothache an emergency?

Seek urgent care if you have swelling of the face or jaw, a fever, difficulty swallowing, breathing or opening your mouth, or pain after an injury to the teeth.