Acute Tooth Pain

What Causes Toothaches?

Toothaches happen when the innermost layer of the tooth (the dental pulp) becomes inflamed. The pulp contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels. Common causes include:

• Tooth decay (cavities)
• A dental abscess (infection at the root or between gum and tooth)
• A cracked or fractured tooth
• A damaged or broken filling
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Infected gums (gum disease)

Symptoms to Watch For

Tooth pain can present in different ways depending on the cause:

• Sharp, throbbing, or constant pain
• Pain only when pressure is applied to the tooth
• Swelling around the tooth or in the jaw
• Fever or headache
• Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

When Should You See a Dentist?

Call Crescent City Dentists right away if:

• The pain lasts longer than 1-2 days
• The toothache is severe
• You have a fever, earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide
• You notice swelling in your face or jaw

Proper identification and treatment of dental infections is important to prevent the infection from spreading.

What Happens at Your Visit

When you come in with a toothache, your dentist will get your complete medical history. A physical exam will be performed, focusing on your mouth, teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, throat, sinuses, ears, nose, and neck.

Your dentist will ask questions about the pain, such as when it started, how severe it is, where exactly it hurts, what makes it worse, and what makes it better. X-rays may be taken to help pinpoint the cause.

Treatments May Include

• A filling if a cavity is causing the pain
• A tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved
• A root canal if the tooth's nerve is infected
• Antibiotics if there is fever or swelling of the jaw
• Phototherapy with a cold laser to reduce pain and inflammation

Preventing Toothaches

Most dental problems can be prevented with good oral hygiene habits.

Related Topics