Tooth pain is a great indicator that something is wrong in your teeth, gums and jaw bones. Often we wish our toothache will go away but unfortunately there is rarely any self healing with dental issues. Left untreated tooth pain can turn into serious infection, abscess, and permanent tooth loss.

Knowing when to seek help from an expert can help protect your health, ease the pain and save money on complicated treatments.

What Are the Common Reasons for Tooth Pain?

Tooth pain is caused by irritation, inflammation or trauma to the sensitive inner parts of your tooth and surrounding areas.

  • Enamel Erosion: Bacteria feeds on sugar from everyday foods and produces acids which eat through the enamel, leaving the sensitive dentin exposed to hot, cold and sweet foods.

  • Infection of the Dental Pulp: Deep cavities allow bacteria to enter the center of your tooth. This is where the nerves and blood vessels are and will cause swelling and intense throbbing pain.

  • Gum Disease: Plaque builds up on the gum line causing inflammation. As the gum disease worsens, this causes bone loss and intense aching pain.

  • Cracked Enamel: The enamel can crack due to an impact, eating hard foods or grinding your teeth at night. This causes the enamel to flex causing nerve irritation.

  • Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Third molars often do not have enough room to erupt properly. They get stuck in your gums and jaw causing pain and pressure to surrounding teeth.

When Should You See Your Dentist for Tooth Pain?

Not all tooth pain needs to be seen at an emergency clinic at midnight. If you have mild symptoms book an appointment with your dentist.

  • Short Term Sensitivity to Hot/Cold: You may feel a slight twinge when drinking hot coffee or eating ice cream. But the pain will go away quickly.

  • Sensitivity to Sweet Foods: A little discomfort when eating sweet foods or drinking fruit juice. Indicates early enamel erosion and small cavities.

  • Mild Pain When Flossing: A little bleeding or tenderness when flossing tight teeth. Indicates early and reversible gum disease.

  • Food Gets Caught Frequently: Food gets caught between certain teeth frequently causing pressure.

What Are the Red Flags That Mean You Should See Your Dentist?

If you have any of the following symptoms they indicate some damage is occurring and you should try to book an appointment within 24-48 hours.

  • Pain Lasting More Than 48 Hours: Tooth pain that has lasted for more than 2 days rarely goes away. Indicates damage to the pulp and tooth.

  • Long Term Sensitivity to Hot/Cold: Sharp pain to hot/cold items that last longer than 30 seconds indicates irreversible nerve inflammation.

  • Sharp Pain When Biting Down: Sharp pain when biting into food indicates a cracked tooth, loose filling or inflamed ligaments.

  • Bleeding and Receding Gums: Easily bleeding gums, red and swollen gums or receding gums require an urgent visit to your dentist.

  • Bad Breath/Foul Taste: Chronic bad breath or a sour taste indicates localized decay, pus leakage or failing fillings.

What Are the Urgent Signs That Require You to See a Dentist?

Severe dental emergencies require immediate assistance. Waiting too long can cause the infection to spread into deeper facial tissues and your bloodstream.

  • Excruciating Throbbing: Severe pain that is so bad you cannot sleep, work or function properly indicates severe pressure from the endodontics or abscess.

  • Swelling to Face/Jaw/Lymph Nodes: Noticeable swelling on your cheek, jaw or lymph nodes indicates a quickly spreading infection.

  • Pimples on Gums: Swollen painful bumps on your gums that ooze pus indicate infection to the root of your tooth.

  • Temperature/Fevers: If you have a temperature whilst experiencing tooth pain your immune system will be fighting to stop the infection spreading. You need urgent assistance from a dentist to give you antibiotics.

  • Loose/Shaken Teeth: Any impact that shakes, loosens or knocks out an adult tooth needs urgent assistance within 30-60 minutes to save the tooth root.

  • Having Trouble Breathing/Swallowing: If you have infection causing swelling in your throat this is a medical emergency. Go straight to A&E.

How Do Dentists Diagnose Tooth Pain?

Qualified dentists will follow a methodical approach using specialist equipment to find the cause of your pain.

  • Full History: The dentist will look at your medical history, any long term illnesses, medication you are taking and any recent trauma.

  • Exam: Using specialist mirrors, magnifying loupe and soft probing tools the dentist will examine your teeth, fillings and gums.

  • X-Rays & 3D Scans: Digital low radiation X-rays and 3D CBCT scans will show any cavities between your teeth, root canals, abscesses and bone loss.

  • Pulp Testing: The dentist will test your nerves by applying cold to your teeth or using electric pulp testing.

  • Gum Probing: Using a specialized probe the dentist will measure the gap between your gums and teeth to check for bone loss and gum disease.

Why Can Delaying a Visit to the Dentist Be Risky?

You rarely want to ignore tooth pain. Delaying seeing a dentist can turn easy and cheap treatments into a complicated medical issue.

  • Nerve Dies: If you leave your pulpits untreated the nerve inside your tooth will die. Whilst this can cause the pain to go away the bacteria will still be multiplying inside your tooth root.

  • Bone Loss: Chronic infection at the tip of your tooth will cause harmful toxins to be released causing your jaw bone to erode.

  • Risk of Infection: Bacteria from severe abscesses can enter your bloodstream increasing your risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetic issues.

  • Tooth Loss: Leaving decay untreated can cause your enamel to erode completely making it impossible to save your tooth. This will cause complete tooth loss and expensive fake replacements.

What Home Remedies Can Help With Tooth Pain?

Whilst waiting for your appointment there are some safe remedies you can do to help with pain.

  • Salt Water Rinse: Mix ½ tsp of salt into a glass of warm water. Swish around your mouth for 30 seconds to remove any debris, kill surface bacteria and soothe inflamed gums.

  • Painkillers: Take painkillers as directed on the packaging to reduce swelling and pain.

  • Cold Compress: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes to numb the sharp nerve pain and reduce swelling.

  • Brush Gently: Brush your teeth gently using a soft bristled brush. Gently floss around your painful tooth to remove any food.

  • Do Not Put Anything on Bleeding Gums: Do not put Aspirin or harsh chemicals on your bleeding gums or sensitive teeth as this will cause severe chemical burns.

How Can You Prevent Future Tooth Pain?

The best way to avoid sudden toothaches is to practice good preventative habits.

  • Brush Twice Daily: Brush all your teeth using a soft bristled brush and approved fluoride toothpaste twice daily to remove plaque and strengthen enamel.

  • Floss Daily: Floss between your tight teeth using string floss, floss picks or a water flosser to remove hidden plaque and food.

  • Reduce Sugary/Acidic Foods: Reduce sticky sweets, fizzy drinks and acidic foods. Rinse your mouth with water to remove any remaining sugars and acids.

  • Mouth-guard: Wear a mouth-guard whilst playing sport to protect your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night wear a night-guard.

  • See Dentist Every 6 Months: See your qualified dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups, x-rays and cleanings.

When Should You See a Dentist for Tooth Pain?

  • If your tooth pain has lasted for more than 2 days.

  • If you have sensitivity to hot/cold for longer than 30 seconds.

  • If you have sharp pain when biting down.

  • If you have red, swollen or bleeding gums around your painful tooth.

  • If you have swelling to your face, pimples on your gums or a temperature seek urgent dental assistance.

  • If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing due to tooth infection go straight to A&E.

  • Never ignore tooth pain as there could be a spreading infection behind the dead nerve.

  • See a dentist every 6 months to avoid small enamel decay causing problems.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Pain?

Can a Severe Toothache Go Away?

No, if you have a severe toothache caused by decay, nerve infection or gum disease it will not go away. If the pain suddenly stops it is usually because the nerve has died. However there will still be an infection present and this will spread into your jaw until seen by a dentist.

What Should You Do If Your Toothache Wakes You Up?

If your toothache wakes you up it means your nerves are severely inflamed. Rinse with warm salt water, sleep with extra pillows to reduce pressure in your head. Take painkillers as directed and contact an emergency dentist first thing in the morning.

How Do You Know If Your Tooth Pain Is an Emergency?

If you have swelling to your face, a high temperature, pus coming from pimples on your gums, extreme pain or displaced teeth then this is an emergency. If you have mild sensitivity lasting a few seconds or pressure from food this can wait for a regular appointment in a day or two.

Can Sinus Infections Cause Tooth Pain?

Yes, severe sinus infections often cause pain to the back teeth. This is because the roots of your top molars sit under your sinuses. When your sinus becomes inflamed and swollen it puts pressure on the nerves in your teeth causing them to feel like a regular toothache.