Toothache is pain in and around the teeth and jaws that is most often caused by tooth decay.
Toothache is pain in and around the teeth and jaws that is most often caused by tooth decay.
The pain usually starts suddenly and it can vary from mild discomfort to a severe throbbing, which is often worse at night. The area of your jaw that is close to the infected tooth may also be sore and tender to the touch.
Toothache can either come and go or be constant. Eating or drinking can make the pain worse, particularly if the food or drink is hot or cold.
If you have toothache for longer than one or two days, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to have it treated. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get.
If your toothache is not treated, the pulp inside your tooth will eventually become infected. This usually leads to a
forming, which can cause severe and continuous pain.Painkillers, such as
and , may help to reduce pain and discomfort while you are waiting for an appointment. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.Toothache happens when the innermost layer of the tooth - called dental pulp - becomes inflamed. Dental pulp is made up of soft, delicate tissue that contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels.
Dental pulp can become inflamed because of:
There are a number of other conditions that can cause pain similar to toothache, even though the pulp is not affected. These include:
Babies can also experience discomfort when their teeth start to develop. This is known as teething.
The type of treatment you have for toothache depends on the cause of the pain, so your dentist will examine your mouth and may carry out an
to try to identify the problem.If your toothache is caused by tooth decay, your dentist will remove the decayed area and replace it with a filling.
If your toothache is caused by a loose or broken filling, the filling will be removed, any decay will be cleaned out and a new filling put in place
If the pulp of your tooth is infected, you may need to have
. This is where your dentist removes the infected pulp, fills the space with a paste and may cover the remaining tooth with a crown to protect and seal it.If your toothache cannot be treated using these methods, or your tooth is impacted (wedged between another tooth and your jaw), your tooth may need to be removed.
The best way to avoid getting toothache and other dental problems is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. To do this, you should:
Visit your dentist once a year for a dental check-up. Children should have a dental check-up every six months so that tooth decay can be spotted and treated early.
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and .Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.