One of the most common reasons that people seek dental treatment is a toothache. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 40% of adults in the United States experience a toothache each year. In this article, we’ll explain what a toothache is, its primary causes and symptoms, and how to treat and prevent it.
What is a Toothache?
A toothache is a dental issue characterized by pain in or around a tooth. The pain may range from very mild to excruciating.
Toothache Causes
A toothache occurs when the tooth’s soft pulp becomes inflamed or infected by bacteria. There are several potential causes for toothache:
- Decay
- Dental abscess
- Infected gums
- Eruption or extraction of a tooth
- Repetitive motions, such as clenching/grinding
- Damaged dental restoration
- Broken/cracked/chipped tooth
Common Toothache Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms associated with toothache include:
- Pain – may range from dull to sharp and throbbing, and may be constant or intermittent
- Fever
- Headache
- Swelling around the affected tooth
- Foul odor/taste due to pus draining from infection
If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek dental treatment right away.
Can a Toothache be Fatal?
Tooth pain isn’t fatal. However, if your toothache is due to an infection in or around the tooth, it may spread to other areas of your body. This can cause you to become sick, which could be fatal. Therefore, if you have a toothache that doesn’t clear up on its own, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible. Some clinics offer emergency office hours, so you can get in at any time of day or night.
Can You Treat a Toothache at Home?
Any time you experience dental issues such as a toothache, it’s critical to seek professional treatment as soon as possible. However, there are some things you can do at home while you are waiting to get in.
- Warm saltwater rinse: saltwater can help loosen any debris that is between your teeth, as well as reduce inflammation and act as a disinfectant
- Hydrogen peroxide: a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is effective for minimizing pain and inflammation
- Cold compress: if you have pain and swelling, a cold compress can offer some relief
- OTC pain relievers: OTC pain relievers can help reduce pain/inflammation
- Clove oil: clove oil can numb pain and reduce inflammation
- Vanilla extract: vanilla extract contains alcohol and antioxidants, which can numb the pain and facilitate healing
- Peppermint tea: peppermint can offer soothing relief
- Garlic: garlic contains allicin, which is an antimicrobial that can kill bacteria- it may also help with pain relief
While these at-home remedies can offer some relief, if your toothache is severe, lasts longer than 1 to 2 days, or you have a fever, earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide, visit the dentist as soon as possible. Some dental clinics offer emergency treatment.
How Does a Dentist Treat a Toothache?
When you visit the dentist with a toothache, they will start with an evaluation.
They will start by examining the affected area. This will help to determine what is causing your toothache. They will also ask you a few questions to help with determining the best course of treatment:
- When did the pain start?
- Where is the pain primarily located?
- How severe is the pain?
- Is there anything that makes the pain worse?
- Is there anything that offers relief?
They will also go over your medical and dental history and take X-rays of the affected tooth. The dentist will use this information to create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your pain as soon as possible.
- If the toothache is due to a cavity, the dentist will either fill it or remove the tooth if the decay is too advanced.
- Often, the dentist will try to salvage the tooth’s structure if possible, which may require root canal treatment. This involves drilling a small hole in the tooth and removing the pulp. Then, the tooth is cleaned and disinfected before being filled with a biocompatible material to restore strength. Finally, the dentist will close the tooth with a dental filling or will place a crown on it.
- In some cases, a toothache may be due to food stuck between the gums and tooth, which may require a deep cleaning. This is often followed by periodontal therapy to reduce the inflammation in the gum.
If you have a fever and/or swelling in your jaw, the dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the infection.
Tips for Preventing Toothache
The best way to prevent a toothache is by practicing proper oral hygiene habits, which include:
- Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing at least once daily– more if you get food or other debris stuck between your teeth
- Visiting the dentist every 6 months for a comprehensive exam and cleaning
Get Relief From Toothache
A toothache can be caused by anything from tooth decay and sensitivity to a cracked tooth, gum disease, or an infection. If your tooth pain persists, worsens, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, or sensitivity, a dental evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and prevent the problem from becoming more serious.
Schedule an appointment with Arlington Dental Excellence to have your toothache evaluated and discuss the right treatment for your needs. We also offer a variety of dental services to help protect your teeth and maintain your oral health.
FAQs
Can a Toothache Cause a Headache?
Yes, a toothache can sometimes cause or contribute to a headache, particularly when it is related to an infection, inflammation, or pressure around the tooth. Treating the underlying dental problem may help relieve the associated discomfort.
Can Sinus Problems Cause Tooth Pain?
Yes. Sinus pressure or an infection can cause pain in the upper teeth because their roots are located close to the sinus cavities. If tooth pain occurs along with sinus symptoms, the source may be sinus-related rather than dental. Learn more about can infected sinuses cause toothache.
Can a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
A toothache may temporarily disappear, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying problem has healed. Cavities, infections, cracks, and other dental conditions can continue to worsen even after the pain subsides. Learn more about how to prevent cavities.
When Is a Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?
A toothache may require emergency dental care when it is severe or persistent, or when it occurs with facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, or other signs of infection. Learn more about what is a dental emergency.
What Can I Do for Tooth Pain Until I See a Dentist?
You can temporarily manage tooth pain by keeping the area clean, rinsing gently with warm salt water, avoiding foods that worsen the pain, and using an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you. These measures only provide temporary relief and do not treat the underlying cause. See how can I relieve tooth pain until I see a dentist for additional information.
Can an Abscessed Tooth Cause Severe Tooth Pain?
Yes. An abscessed tooth can cause intense or persistent pain and may also lead to swelling, tenderness, fever, or a bad taste in the mouth. A dental abscess requires professional treatment and should not be left untreated. Learn more about abscessed tooth.
Can a Cracked or Fractured Tooth Cause a Toothache?
Yes. A cracked or fractured tooth can cause pain when biting or chewing and may also cause sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the crack. Learn more about fractured tooth and cracked tooth.
Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Toothache?
Yes. Wisdom teeth can cause tooth pain when they are erupting, impacted, infected, or causing inflammation around the surrounding gum tissue. A dentist can determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Learn more about how to stop wisdom tooth pain.
Why Does a Root Canal Tooth Hurt Years Later?
A tooth that has previously undergone a root canal can sometimes become painful again because of reinfection, a new infection, a crack, or another dental problem affecting the tooth or surrounding tissues. Learn more about why a root canal tooth may hurt after years.
Can Tooth Pain Be Caused by a Dental Infection?
Yes. A dental infection can affect the inner tissues of a tooth or the surrounding structures and cause persistent pain, sensitivity, swelling, or tenderness. Prompt dental treatment can help prevent the infection from worsening. Learn more about how an emergency dentist can treat dental infections.