Toothache: Common Causes, Self-Care & When to See a Dentist

What Causes Toothache?

Toothache is one of the most common reasons people contact a dentist — and one of the most misunderstood. The pain itself is a signal, not a diagnosis. The same throbbing ache can come from several different sources.

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Common Causes

Cause

What it feels like

|---|---|

Decay reaching the nerve	Deep ache, worsens with sweets and temperature
Dental abscess	Severe throbbing, may wake you at night
Cracked tooth	Sharp pain on biting, hard to pinpoint
Gum infection	Dull ache, tender gum, bad taste
Lost or failing filling	Sensitivity, rough edge, food packing
Grinding (bruxism)	Generalised ache, sore jaw on waking

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Self-Care While You Wait

• Take ibuprofen (400mg) or paracetamol as directed
• Rinse with warm salt water
• Keep the area clean with careful brushing
• Avoid very hot, cold or sweet foods on the affected side
• Do not apply aspirin directly to the gum

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When Is Toothache an Emergency?

Seek same-day dental care if:

• Pain has lasted more than 24–48 hours without improvement
• Pain is waking you from sleep
• There is visible swelling of the face, gum or jaw
• You have a bad taste or discharge near a tooth
• You have a fever alongside tooth pain

Facial swelling with fever can indicate a spreading infection that needs urgent assessment.

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What Does Toothache Treatment Involve?

It depends on the cause:

• Decay only: composite filling (usually one visit)
• Nerve involved: root canal treatment, then crown
• Abscess: drainage, antibiotics if indicated, definitive treatment
• Cracked tooth: crown or extraction if beyond repair
• Gum infection: deep cleaning and periodontal treatment

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Don't Wait

Toothache rarely improves on its own. The longer a problem is left, the more complex and expensive the repair usually becomes.

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