Filling
Removes decay and seals the tooth when the damage has not reached the nerve.
Severe toothache: causes, relief and treatment
A severe toothache can make it hard to eat, sleep or focus. The pain is your tooth's way of signaling a problem such as decay, a crack or an infection. Finding the cause is the first step to lasting relief.
About Severe Toothache
Toothache treatment starts with an exam to find where the pain is coming from. Depending on the cause, care may include a filling, root canal therapy, treatment for gum infection, a crown for a cracked tooth or, when a tooth cannot be saved, an extraction.
Common causes of a severe toothache
- Deep tooth decay that reaches the nerve
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A dental abscess or gum infection
- A lost or damaged filling or crown
- Wisdom teeth that are coming in or are infected
- Clenching or grinding that strains the teeth
Treatment options
Root canal therapy
Removes infected or inflamed nerve tissue so the natural tooth can be kept.
Crown
Protects a cracked or weakened tooth from breaking further.
Extraction
Removes a tooth that is too damaged or infected to save.
What to expect
- 1
Call the office
Describe your pain. The team will tell you the next available time and how to manage it until then.
- 2
Find the cause
Your dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays when needed to see what is causing the pain.
- 3
Review your options
You hear what is wrong and which treatments fit before anything is done.
- 4
Treat the source
Treatment focuses on the problem causing the pain so it does not keep coming back.
Benefits
- Treats the cause of the pain instead of masking it
- Can stop decay or infection before it spreads
- May help you avoid larger treatment later
- Call and schedule in English or Spanish
Risks and limitations
- Pain can fade even while decay or infection gets worse, so a tooth that stops hurting should still be checked.
- Some causes need more than one visit to treat fully.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers ease symptoms but do not fix the tooth.
- Pain that seems to come from a tooth can sometimes come from the sinuses or jaw, which your dentist will consider.
Recovery and aftercare
- Follow your dentist's instructions for the treatment you receive.
- Avoid very hot, cold or hard foods on the treated side until your dentist says it is safe.
- Keep brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth.
- Call the office if pain or swelling increases after treatment.
Offices offering Severe Toothache
Call the office you plan to visit to confirm scheduling and availability.
Frequently asked questions
How can I ease a toothache at home?
Rinse with warm salt water, floss gently to remove trapped food, use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label.
Why does my toothache get worse at night?
Lying down can increase pressure in the head and around the tooth, and there are fewer distractions at night. Worse pain at night is a reason to call the office soon.
When is a toothache an emergency?
Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have swelling spreading to your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing or a high fever. For other severe pain, call the dental office as soon as possible.
Can a toothache go away on its own?
The pain may come and go, but the cause usually remains. A tooth that stops hurting can still have decay or infection that needs treatment.
Related services
Emergency Dentist
Urgent dental care for severe pain, broken or knocked-out teeth, swelling and infections.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy removes infection from inside a tooth so you can keep your natural tooth.
Dental Fillings
Fillings repair cavities and small chips so a tooth can keep working normally.
Dental Abscess & Infection
An abscess is a pocket of infection that needs dental treatment and will not clear up on its own.
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¡Hablamos Español! Spanish-speaking front desk and dental assistants at every office.
¡Hablamos Español!Spanish-speaking front desk & dental assistants