Toothache: Causes & Emergency Care

What Is Toothache: Causes & Emergency Care?

A toothache is pain originating in or around a tooth. It can range from mild and intermittent to severe and constant. Causes include cavities, cracked teeth, exposed roots, abscesses, gum disease, sinus infection, and referred pain from jaw muscles or the TMJ. Any toothache that persists more than 1–2 days, is severe, or is accompanied by fever or swelling should be treated as a dental emergency.

How It Works

At an emergency dental visit, the dentist takes X-rays to diagnose the cause, examines the tooth and gums, and discusses treatment options. Depending on the cause, treatment may be a filling, root canal, extraction, or antibiotics for infection. Pain relief begins within hours of proper treatment.

Key Benefits

• Same-day diagnosis and pain relief
• Prevents infection from spreading
• Early treatment preserves the tooth when possible
• Rules out serious causes like abscess or fracture

Frequently Asked Questions