Although toothache may be a common issue, the type of pain it causes can vary considerably. This guide explores the different types of toothaches and their potential causes. We also look at how to treat toothache.
However, the message is that any tooth pain can indicate a dental problem requiring professional dental care. Even though you can temporarily relieve the pain at home with over-the-counter pain relief, it will not address the underlying problem.
The sooner you see a dentist, the more quickly you can get relief from your pain, and the more likely your tooth can be saved.
Some people only experience mild discomfort or an occasional twinge. A tooth may hurt when biting or chewing but will feel relatively comfortable at other times. For others, toothache pain can be continual and may feel dull or sharper.
It may be obvious which tooth hurts, or sometimes it’s more difficult to identify which tooth is causing the discomfort. It’s possible for more than one tooth to feel painful.
Most often, this is what toothache will feel like, and although unpleasant, it could have a simple cause that might be as straightforward as having something stuck between your teeth.
Other potential causes can include:
One thing to try is to floss around the uncomfortable tooth gently. Afterward, rinse your mouth with warm water.
This can help if the problem is due to impacted food between your teeth or food stuck in your gums. Even a small piece of food can push a tooth out of alignment, making it feel painful.
If you think you have a teeth-grinding and clenching habit, schedule an appointment to see your dentist. As bruxism is often nocturnal, another sign is waking up with an aching jaw, earache, or facial pain.
Bruxism can cause considerable damage to your teeth but is often easily treated with a custom night guard. Your dentist may also suggest other therapeutic treatments that could help when used alongside professional dental care, such as chiropractic care, facial massage, or gentle stretching exercises to help a painful jaw.
A dental abscess is a serious dental infection requiring emergency dental care. An abscessed tooth can cause additional symptoms, such as swollen, sore gums around the affected tooth. A pimple could appear on the gum nearest the tooth due to pus buildup.
This pain can be due to a cracked tooth and is often only present when you bite down. Other causes include an untreated cavity, a loose or crumbling filling, or a loose crown.
When you see your dentist, they should be able to diagnose the problem quickly and provide appropriate dental care to relieve the pain and discomfort and restore the tooth.
A severe toothache can be extremely painful. It can be due to a worsening dental abscess requiring urgent dental care. Most dental offices make every effort to see patients in severe pain quickly. Many keep an appointment or two aside for this purpose and will likely see you on the same day.
If you experience symptoms like facial swelling or fever or feel unwell, visit your nearest dentist or emergency room. There is a risk that a dental abscess can become life-threatening.
It’s not unusual to feel a twinge of toothache when eating something hot or cold. It can be caused by worn or damaged tooth enamel, allowing unpleasant sensations to penetrate the tooth and reach the tooth nerve.
In this case, it’s worth noting when the pain occurs and what potential triggers are involved. You could try desensitizing toothpaste, but you must use it consistently for several weeks to get the full effect.
However, if a tooth feels more sensitive for longer than 30 seconds, the potential cause could be more serious.
Other causes of tooth sensitivity can include extensive tooth decay, tooth fractures, leaky fillings, and gum disease.
Your dentist can diagnose the problem and can provide treatment. However, if the cause is gum disease, you might need to see a periodontist.
Gum disease is a serious infection caused by bacteria in dental plaque. It develops when plaque is allowed to build up, usually through a lack of oral care. However, some people are more prone to developing gum disease than others, especially if they have conditions affecting the immune system that make it harder to fight infection.
These bacteria produce toxins that infect and inflame gum tissue, eventually starting to destroy it, so gums begin to recede. As they start to recede, they pull away from teeth, exposing your tooth roots.
Because tooth roots are not covered in tooth enamel, they are more sensitive to changes in temperature and exposure to certain foods. Therefore, tooth sensitivity can be a sign of gum disease.
A periodontist is a specialist dentist, meaning they have first qualified as a general dentist before completing years of additional training in their chosen specialization.
Periodontists specialize in treating the structures around your teeth. The structures include your gums, jawbone, and ligaments holding teeth in their sockets. They are the best dentist to see if you have problems like gum disease, especially if this condition is advanced, called periodontitis.
Your periodontist will have training and experience in all the most advanced and latest techniques to help eradicate or control bacterial infection in your gums. They can provide a wide range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments to help treat gum disease successfully.
If advanced gum disease has destroyed the gum or jawbone, your periodontist can provide advanced surgical treatments to restore the structures. These include bone grafting and gum grafting.
Unfortunately, periodontal disease is a common cause of tooth loss, and if you are unlucky enough to lose teeth, seeing a periodontist is still your best bet. They are also experts in planning and placing dental implants, the most advanced way to restore missing teeth, offering a long-term solution for tooth loss.
If you visit your dentist for toothache and they diagnose advanced periodontal disease, they may refer you to a periodontist they know and trust to take care of you. However, you can book directly with a periodontist near you. You do not need a referral.
When you see a periodontist, they can provide a complete gum evaluation to assess if you have any signs of gum disease and its severity. They will then provide a custom treatment plan outlining procedures designed to help restore gum health, including the cost.
Dental insurance will almost certainly cover the cost of periodontal care since it can be considered an essential treatment to help restore oral health.
If you need further services like gum or bone grafting and dental implants, you may be able to claim back part of the costs. It depends on whether your insurance company considers these services essential or elective. Your periodontist can give you more guidance and advice when you see them.
Toothaches can indicate various dental issues, from cavities to infections. Understanding the type of pain helps determine the right treatment. If you experience persistent discomfort, visit Century Medical & Dental Center for a thorough evaluation and expert care.
SHARE THIS POST Page Updated on Apr 10, 2025 by Dr. Dvorkina (Primary Care Doctor) of Century Medical & Dental CenterCentury Medical and Dental Center is an accredited healthcare facility in NY that operates in accordance with Article 28, a public health law. This law regulates and recognizes accreditation for public healthcare facilities, ensuring they are licensed and operated correctly. By undergoing the Article 28 process and achieving accreditation, Century Medical and Dental Center demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest standards of care.
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