Symptoms · toothache
Why does my tooth ache?
A toothache is usually a sign that the nerve inside a tooth is irritated, most often by decay, a crack, a failing filling or gum infection. Mild pain that comes and goes should be checked within a few days. Throbbing pain, swelling or a fever needs to be seen today: call Y3 Smiles Dental in Broadmeadows on (03) 9022 4442.
When is toothache urgent?
Go to hospital or call 000
- Your face or neck is swelling and it is spreading
- You are struggling to swallow, breathe or open your mouth
- You have toothache with a high temperature and feel very unwell
Call us today
- Throbbing pain that keeps you awake or won't settle with pain relief
- Pain with a swollen gum or a pimple on the gum
- Pain that started after a knock or a crack you can feel
Book the next available time
- A brief twinge with cold that disappears within seconds
- Mild ache that comes and goes, with no swelling
What can the type of pain tell you?
Only an examination can say for sure what's wrong, but how the pain behaves is a helpful clue, and it's worth noting before you call.
- A sharp twinge with cold or sweet food that fades in seconds often points to exposed root surface, early decay or a worn filling.
- Pain with hot or cold that lingers for minutes suggests the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed.
- A constant, throbbing ache, sometimes spreading to the ear or jaw, can mean the nerve is badly inflamed or infected.
- Pain when you bite can come from a cracked tooth, a filling that's too high, or inflammation at the root tip.
- A dull ache in several upper teeth that gets worse when you bend over can be your sinuses rather than a tooth.
What are the common causes of toothache?
- Tooth decay that has reached the inner layers of the tooth.
- A cracked or broken tooth, including cracks too small to see.
- An old or lost filling letting bacteria and temperature reach the nerve.
- Gum disease or a gum infection around the tooth.
- A wisdom tooth coming through at the back.
- Grinding or clenching, which can make teeth ache, especially in the morning.
What can you do at home until you're seen?
- Take pain relief you'd normally use, following the packet, if it's safe for you. Ask a pharmacist if you're unsure.
- Rinse gently with warm salty water and floss carefully around the tooth in case food is trapped.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sugary food and chew on the other side.
- Don't put aspirin on the gum. It doesn't help the tooth and can burn the gum.
How does a dentist work out what's causing it?
At Y3 Smiles Dental we start by asking about the pain, then look at the tooth and gum, test how the tooth reacts to cold and gentle tapping, and usually take an x-ray to see the root. That tells us whether the nerve can recover and what will fix the cause.
Depending on what we find, treatment might be a filling, root canal treatment to save a tooth with an infected nerve, or removing a tooth that can't be saved. If root canal treatment is the answer, what happens during it walks through the appointment. If you need help today, see our emergency dentistry page.
Other questions people ask
Can a toothache go away on its own?
The pain can settle, but the cause usually doesn't. A nerve that stops hurting may have died, and an infection can keep spreading without pain. It's worth having it checked even if it eases.
Is it a tooth problem or my sinuses?
Sinus congestion can make several upper back teeth ache at once, especially when you bend forward or have a cold. Pain in one specific tooth, or pain when biting, points more to the tooth. A dentist can tell the difference with an exam and x-ray.
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?
Pain on biting often means a crack, a high filling, or inflammation around the root tip. It is a useful clue, so mention it when you call.
Should I use a numbing gel?
Over-the-counter numbing gels can help briefly for some people. Follow the packet directions and don't use them on young children unless a pharmacist says they're suitable.
Can I get antibiotics for a toothache?
Antibiotics don't fix most toothaches, because the cause is inside the tooth. They're used when infection is spreading, together with treating the tooth.