A toothache is characterized by pain that occurs anywhere on the tooth’s surface, tooth root, or inside the tooth. Toothaches can feel sharp and excruciating or mild, dully, and aching. Toothaches are a very common complaint, and almost everyone has suffered from some form of tooth pain during the course of their life.
Some people are more sensitive to tooth pain than others and the level of pain associated with a toothache could change depending on the underlying dental problem. Some of the most common causes of a toothache include:
If you notice tooth pain, consult a dentist right away–especially if the pain is overwhelming or long-lasting. If you have a toothache that lasts for more than a couple days, is severe, or causes fever, earaches, or jaw pain, it could indicate a more serious problem.
Toothaches are a signal from the body that something is not right. When pain is severe, it could mean that there is a serious dental issue, so it’s important to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.
To treat your aching tooth, a dentist will need to do a diagnostic exam of your teeth. You may be asked about your pain level, medical history, and other questions to help come to the most accurate diagnosis for your tooth pain. Your dentist may also evaluate other areas of your body (throat, sinuses, tongue, jaw, gums, other teeth, ears, nose, or neck), checking for clues that could point to an underlying condition.
Depending on the cause of your toothache, your dentist will then recommend a treatment option to alleviate your tooth pain and prevent future toothaches. Some of the most common treatments for dental conditions that cause toothaches include:
People often experience nighttime toothaches, which seem to be more severe than daytime toothaches. This is due to the position of your body while you are sleeping as well as the way your body circulates blood. When you go to bed at night, your body is laying down and more blood may rush to your head. This can make a toothache feel worse than when you are standing up because blood has rushed into these sensitive areas.
To treat a toothache at night, try one of the following:
Depending on the level of tooth pain and the underlying cause for the tooth pain, a toothache could go away on its own. Toothaches that are caused by cold food, a sinus infection, stress-related teeth grinding, or other minor problems could go away on their own in time. Always seek the professional guidance of your dentist right away if you are experiencing severe discomfort, including:
Even when a toothache is less severe, it’s recommended that you check in with your dentist when you can in order to avoid future problems. Sometimes, a toothache is due to the loss of a filling or a new cavity. Both of these examples of dental issues may only cause dull, achy pain at first, but over time, could lead to more severe pain and oral health complications.
Your toothache could come and go quickly; however, when tooth pain lasts longer than a day or two, it could be a sign of a dental issue that requires your dentist’s special care and attention. Any toothache that is severe or lasts longer than a day or two should be reported to your dentist for guidance.
When you have to endure a toothache between dentist visits, you can try some of these home remedies for tooth pain:
In addition to the above home remedies for a toothache, the best way to get rid of a toothache quickly is by scheduling an appointment with your dentist at the earliest possible date. Because most toothaches are a sign of an underlying problem, the best way to stop the tooth pain fast is by addressing the underlying condition quickly with a certified dentist.