Toothaches
Pain - tooth or teethA toothache is pain in or around a tooth.
Considerations
A toothache is often the result of dental cavities (tooth decay) or an infection or irritation of the tooth. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene. It may also be partly inherited. In some cases, toothache may be caused due to grinding teeth or other dental trauma.
Dental cavities
Dental cavities are holes (or structural damage) in the teeth.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDental hygiene
Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within a few minutes...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSometimes, 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 pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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 ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - 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. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleNeck 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Sinus infection
Sinus infection
Sinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infect...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Tooth decay
- Tooth trauma such as wear, injury, or fracture
Home Care
You can use over-the-counter pain medicine if you can't see your dentist or primary health care provider right away.
Pain medicine
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help relieve pain or lower a fever. Over-the-counter means you can buy these medicines without a prescript...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour dentist will first diagnose the source of the pain and recommend treatment. You may be prescribed antibiotics, pain medicines, or other medicines.
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. Also, tell your dentist if you think you might grind your teeth.
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.
Dental x-rays
Dental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour 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 will depend on the source of the pain. They may include removing and filling cavities, root canal therapy, or extraction of the tooth. If the toothache is related to trauma, such as grinding, your dentist may recommend a special appliance to protect the teeth from wear.
References
Benko KR. Emergency dental procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 64.
Page C, Pitchford S. Drug use in dentistry. In: Page C, Pitchford S, eds. Dale's Pharmacology Condensed. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 28.
Tooth anatomy - illustration
The appearance of normal teeth varies, especially the molars. Abnormally shaped teeth can result from many different conditions. Specific diseases can have a profound effect on tooth shape, tooth color, time of appearance, or absence of teeth.
Tooth anatomy
illustration
Fractured tooth - illustration
A tooth can be chipped or fractured during an accident or a bad fall. A tooth that is chipped or not badly fractured can usually be handled on a nonemergency basis. A tooth that is badly fractured may have exposed nerve tissue inside the tooth. In this case, immediate attention is needed to avoid infection, abscess, and pain.
Fractured tooth
illustration
Tooth anatomy - illustration
The appearance of normal teeth varies, especially the molars. Abnormally shaped teeth can result from many different conditions. Specific diseases can have a profound effect on tooth shape, tooth color, time of appearance, or absence of teeth.
Tooth anatomy
illustration
Fractured tooth - illustration
A tooth can be chipped or fractured during an accident or a bad fall. A tooth that is chipped or not badly fractured can usually be handled on a nonemergency basis. A tooth that is badly fractured may have exposed nerve tissue inside the tooth. In this case, immediate attention is needed to avoid infection, abscess, and pain.
Fractured tooth
illustration
Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: Michael Kapner, DDS, General Dentistry, Norwalk Medical Center, Norwalk CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.