A toothache is pain that you feel in or around your tooth. Most often, toothache pain is a sign that there’s something wrong with your tooth or gums. Sometimes, however, toothache pain is referred pain. That means the pain is caused by a problem elsewhere in your body. You should never ignore toothaches. Toothaches caused by tooth decay can get worse if left untreated.

1. • Facts
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatments
• Home Remedies
• While Pregnant
• Prognosis
• Prevention
• Center
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Facts you should know about toothaches
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2. Toothache home remedies can provide relief for pain, but they are temporary fixes.
A toothache is pain that occurs in or around a tooth. The pain originates from within a tooth or
the surrounding gum and bone structures. One usually feels toothache pain as a constant or
intermittent ache that does not go away. Temperature changes, such as exposure
to cold drinks or pressure on the tooth while chewing, can stimulate a toothache. In other
instances, tooth pain can arise spontaneously without any stimulation. Odontalgia is another
name for a toothache.
It's hard to ignore an aching tooth while eating or going about one's day. Persistent pain urges us
to find out how to get rid of a toothache. While bothersome, it is a way for the painful tooth or
area to signal that one should seek some attention and care from a dentist before things get
worse.
What causes a toothache?
Injury or trauma to the tooth or area usually cause toothaches. Injury is commonly a result
of tooth decay (or cavity). People usually feel cavities when they get larger and deeper into the
layers of tooth structure. Enamel is the hard, outer layer of tooth, and dentin is the softer layer
beneath the enamel. Dentin is the tooth's sensitive layer with tiny microscopic tubes that
originate from the very center of the tooth. The pulp chamber (the center of the tooth) contains
the pulp. The pulp is comprised of blood vessels and nerves. If decay gets past enamel into the
dentin, the cavity can sometimes cause discomfort. A deeper cavity that approaches the center of
the tooth will likely cause pain since there is more damage to the tooth and there is less tooth
structure to insulate and protect the pulp. Localized infection between the gum and tooth
(periodontal abscess) can cause toothache. A traumatic physical blow to a tooth can induce a
sore tooth, as well.
Other causes of toothache include the following:

3. 1. Abscessed tooth: This infection originates from within the tooth and spreads to the root
and the surrounding bone.
2. Damaged or fractured tooth: Fracture of a tooth can expose the sensitive dentin or
even the pulp. Sometimes fractures are not obvious even though the fracture line can run
deep into the tooth, causing tooth pain every time one puts pressure on it with biting or
chewing (called "cracked tooth syndrome").
3. Dental work: After getting a filling or crown, the tooth can feel more sensitive. This is
especially the case if the removal of tooth decay was large or deep. Dental work,
although necessary, can sometimes irritate the nerve. Over time, the sensitivity can
resolve if the tooth is healthy enough.
4. Teeth clenching or grinding: This habit is called bruxism and is oftentimes done
unconsciously and at night. Unfortunately, bruxism causes damage to teeth and
sometimes irritates the nerves to the point where teeth become sensitive.
5. Gum infection or gum disease: The periodontium consists of the gum, gum ligament,
and bone that surround and anchor the teeth. Early stages of gum problems usually
involve inflamed gum, called gingivitis. The gum is usually red, swollen and will bleed
easily. A gum problem can progress to include the jawbone surrounding teeth and
represents the later stages of gum disease (or "periodontitis") where there is advanced
loss of bone around the teeth. Because of bone loss, a gum abscess (infection) can form in
the space that develops between the tooth and the gum, causing pain.
6. Exposed root surfaces: When the protective bone and gum no longer cover the roots of
teeth, these surfaces can be sensitive to stimuli such as brushing the teeth or temperature
changes.
7. Sinusitis: Because the roots of the upper molars are very close to the maxillary
sinus cavities, inflammation from the sinus cavities can cause these molars to be sensitive
and feel like a toothache.
8. Third molars ("wisdom teeth"): Third molars, also called wisdom teeth, are the very
last permanent teeth to appear in the mouth. More often than not, there is not enough

4. space for these molars in the mouth. As a result, third molars become fully or partially
trapped (impacted) within the jawbone and below the gum. Because of poor accessibility,
it is difficult to properly clean partially exposed third molars; therefore, these areas are
susceptible to problems. Problems with third molars can cause dull to severe pain from
pressure of eruption, gum infection, or dental decay.
Toothache Symptoms
The symptoms of toothache include sharp pain or dull pain in or around a tooth. The most common cause of a
toothache is a dental cavity as a result of tooth decay.
• Dental cavities and toothache can be prevented by proper oral hygiene.
• Another common cause of toothache is gum disease.
• Toothache can also be a result of an injury or an abscess of the tooth.
• Toothache symptoms can be caused by a problem that does not originate from a tooth or the jaw.
Symptoms of toothache can be mimicked by sinus infection, shingles, and other diseases.
Read more about toothache symptoms and causes »
What are toothache symptoms and
signs?
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Signs and symptoms that can might indicate a tooth problem are
• pain with biting or chewing,
• teeth hypersensitivity to changes in temperature,
• cheek or gums swelling near tooth,
• discharge or bleeding of gums,

5. • constant throbbing within a tooth.
A toothache can present as a dull or sharp pain that may arise spontaneously on its own or by
stimulation.
Additional symptoms may include
• headache,
• neck pain,
• earache,
• fever,
• bad taste or odor in the mouth.
How do health care professionals
diagnose a toothache?
The dentist performs a series of diagnostic tests along with dental X-rays to determine the origin
of a toothache. These tests try to mimic what may be causing the pain, such as cold stimuli,
biting or chewing pressure, and finger pressure on the gums. The response to a cold stimuli test
can help in determining whether a tooth is vital (nerve is intact within tooth) or suffering from
pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp). Determining duration and acuity of pain from cold stimuli
can help diagnose and determine treatment.
Sometimes, the cause of a toothache may come from somewhere different from where pain is
actually felt (called "referred pain"). For these situations, diagnostic tests performed by the
dentist are particularly important in accurately detecting the problem.

6. ToothacheSee pictures of dental procedures and oral health conditionsSee Images
What is the treatment for a toothache?
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Toothache treatment depends on the cause of the pain and how much damage is present. In
general, the best way to stop a toothache is for the dentist to remove any present infection or
decay and repair the damage to protect exposed, sensitive areas. For a shallow cavity on a tooth,
a dentist removes the decay and seals the tooth with a filling. If the cavity is very deep and gets
into the pulp, the dentist performs "root canal treatment" because the pulp has been exposed and
infected with bacteria. This procedure essentially removes all the vital contents of the tooth
(nerves and blood vessels) and seals the inner aspects of the tooth (root canal system) with an
inert filling material. An abscessed tooth that has very localized infection usually needs root
canal treatment with antibiotic therapy. If the infection has become widespread, one may need
antibiotic therapy and additional steps to properly drain the infection. Dentists often prescribe

7. pain medications to manage the pain. Sometimes extraction of the tooth may be the only option
for treatment if the tooth or surrounding gum and bone are too damaged.
For a periodontal abscess, a dentist performs a simple drainage procedure under local anesthesia.
Additionally, a dentist thoroughly cleans the affected gum pocket to remove any tartar buildup
and debris. Once cleaned, the pocket is irrigated with an antimicrobial rinse containing
chlorhexidine. Sometimes, antibiotics are locally administered into the pocket to further aid in
healing. Depending on the extent of the abscess, a dentist may prescribe oral antibiotics.
Additionally, for the short-term, a dentist may prescribe chlorhexidine oral rinse as a mouthwash
to aid in healing. The area should be kept clean with gentle tooth brushing and warm water
rinses. A follow-up visit is recommended to make sure the infection has completely resolved and
develop a plan to properly maintain the area.
For tooth fractures or cracked tooth syndrome situations, dental crown placement is the usual
treatment. A crown will replace missing tooth structure and/or it will help protect the weakened
tooth from further breakdown and sensitivity.
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Are home remedies effective for a
toothache?
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Generally, home remedies are only effective as a temporary measure to calm severe tooth pain
and are not intended to cure the problem. How does one try to get instant relief without the aid of
a dental professional? Oral pain medication will be a key step. Over-the-counter pain medicines
such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and
are best taken on a schedule to provide pain relief. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an alternative
painkiller. In some cases, alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is effective.
The essential oil, clove oil, is a toothache remedy that is actually an ingredient in some sedative
dental filling materials. It is a natural home remedy that has a numbing effect and can provide
instant relief. Clove oil (eugenol) can be found at the pharmacy. Small amounts of clove oil
should be used to the affected area. Dilute a few drops in a teaspoon of olive oil to avoid burning
the mouth tissue. Before application of the diluted clove oil, rinse the mouth thoroughly with
warm salt water or warm water to clear any debris from the affected area. Then, place a small
cotton ball soaked with a few drops of the diluted clove oil on the tooth or gum area. Allow a
few minutes after application for the numbing effect to take place. Other products that contain
benzocaine (including Orajel or Anbesol) can temporarily numb the affected tooth or gums and
provide pain relief as well. If clove oil is not available, plain olive oil can also provide some
relief by coating a painful area.

9. To help a toothache until treatment can be found, one should avoid chewing on the affected
tooth/area and minimize extreme temperatures of hot and cold. Keeping the area clean and free
of food debris may help as well. Warm salt water or plain warm water rinses can help soothe the
affected area and keep the mouth clean. If swelling of the surrounding gums or tissues is present,
immediate treatment with a dentist or physician is advised to avoid the spread of infection. Home
remedies may temporarily alleviate pain but do not to treat infection.
Above all, proper diagnosis and timely treatment by a dentist is strongly advised to effectively
treat a toothache.
What causes tooth decay?See Answer
How is a toothache treated in
pregnancy?
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10. Dentists can safely perform treatment during pregnancy as long as a few guidelines are
followed.
Generally, if dental work is required to treat a toothache, the recommended time for treatment is
during the second trimester of pregnancy. However, if there is a risk of infection or severe pain,
dental treatment may need to be performed at any point during a pregnancy. The obstetrician is
consulted on what would be the safest option to avoid any possible complications during dental
treatment.
If a dental X-ray is needed, a lead apron is always used for every patient. For a pregnant patient,
this is particularly important in protecting the unborn child.
Careful consideration should be made to ensure that any medications that are used are safe
during pregnancy. This applies to local anesthetics administered during dental treatment and
antibiotics (such as amoxicillin [Amoxil, Trimox, Moxatag, Larotid]) taken before or after
treatment. Over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen are avoided as these
are not considered safe during pregnancy. Acetaminophen is considered safe for pain
management.
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What is the prognosis for a toothache?
For the most part, the prognosis is good for a toothache. In this era of modern dental care,
dentists can quickly identify the problem and treat it effectively. The outcome is best when
toothache is treated as early as possible to avoid further damage or risk of spreading infection.
Is it possible to prevent a toothache?

11. Conscientious efforts to practice good oral hygiene go a long way in preventing dental problems.
Toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and use of dental floss are essential to good dental care
at home. Furthermore, regular maintenance visits with a dentist can serve to keep things in
check. Small cavities can be found before turning into larger cavities or an abscessed tooth. Gum
problems, including periodontal abscess, can be addressed before advancing to a more diseased
state.
To keep teeth strong, avoid the habit of chewing on ice or very hard foods that can cause tooth
fractures. Using our teeth as a tool to open a bag of potato chips or cracking open a nutshell
increase the chances of a tooth fracture as well. Minimize high sugar content foods
or beverages to decrease the risk of dental decay. Be mindful of acidity in beverages as this can
be a source of sensitivity and cavities for teeth.

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