Toothaches

A toothache is pain in or around a tooth.

Considerations

A toothache is often the result of dental cavities (tooth decay) or an infection. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene . It may also be partly inherited.

Sometimes, pain that is felt in the tooth is actually due to pain in other parts of the body. This is called referred pain. For example, an earache may sometimes cause tooth pain.

Causes

A toothache may occur because of:

• Abscessed tooth

  Abscessed tooth

  A tooth abscess is a buildup of infected material (pus) in the center of a tooth. It is an infection caused by bacteria.

   

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• Earache

  Earache

  An earache is a sharp, dull, or burning pain in one or both ears. The pain may last a short time or be ongoing. Related conditions include:Otitis m...

   

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• Injury to the jaw or mouth

  Injury to the jaw or mouth

  A broken jaw is a break (fracture) in the jaw bone. A dislocated jaw means the lower part of the jaw has moved out of its normal position at one or ...

   

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• Heart attack (can include jaw pain, neck pain , or toothache)

  Heart attack

  Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...

   

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  Neck pain

  Neck pain is discomfort in any of the structures in the neck. These include the muscles, nerves, bones (vertebrae), joints, and the discs between th...

   

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• Sinus infection

  Sinus infection

  Sinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an infection from a virus, bacteria, ...

   

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• Tooth decay

Home Care

You can use over-the-counter pain medicine if you can't see your dentist or primary health care provider right away.

Your dentist may recommend antibiotics and other treatments, like a root canal for toothaches caused by a tooth abscess.

Use good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay. A low-sugar diet is recommended along with regular flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and regular professional cleaning. Sealants and fluoride applications by the dentist are important for preventing tooth decay.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Seek medical care if:

• You have a severe toothache
• You have a toothache that lasts longer than a day or two
• You have fever , earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide

  Fever

  Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...

   

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Note: The dentist is an appropriate person to see for most causes of toothaches. However, if the problem is referred pain from another location, you may need to see your primary provider.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, throat, ears, nose, and neck. You may need dental x-rays . Your dentist may recommend other tests, depending on the suspected cause.

Your dentist will ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• When did the pain start?
• Where is the pain located, and how bad is it?
• Does the pain wake you up at night?
• Are there things that make the pain worse or better?
• What medicines are you taking?
• Do you have any other symptoms, such as fever?
• Have you had any injuries?
• When was your last dental checkup?

Treatment may involve fillings, tooth removal, or a root canal, if the problem is severe. You may need to take an antibiotic for an infection.