A toothache is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. The pain can be sharp, dull, throbbing, constant, or triggered by hot, cold, sweets or biting. The cause needs to be found, because it rarely goes away on its own.
Common causes
- Tooth decay, or a deep cavity close to the nerve
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A worn filling or an exposed root
- Infection or an abscess
- Gum disease
- Grinding or clenching
- Sometimes, a sinus problem that feels like tooth pain
What we do
- Ask about your pain: when it occurs, how long it lasts and what triggers it
- Examine the tooth and the gums around it
- Take x-rays and run simple tests to find the source
- Explain the cause and the treatment options, such as a filling, root canal, crown or extraction
Until you are seen
- Rinse with warm water and gently floss to remove trapped food
- Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the label
- Use a cold pack on the cheek for swelling
- Avoid very hot, cold or hard foods
Call us promptly. If you also have swelling, fever, a bad taste or trouble swallowing or breathing, it may be an infection. Seek care right away.