Toothaches

What causes toothaches?

Toothaches occur when a portion of your tooth or your gum becomes decayed, diseased, infected or damaged. They can also occur when teeth begin to emerge from the gums or when teeth become impacted or “stuck” under other teeth. Some toothaches occur when food becomes lodged between them or jammed in the space between the tooth and the gum. No matter what the cause, any toothache requires an office visit to relieve painful symptoms and treat the underlying cause to prevent additional damage.

How are toothaches treated?

That depends on the cause of the toothache. Treatment begins with a thorough examination of the affected tooth and the gum surrounding it, as well as the neighboring teeth. X-rays may also be needed to evaluate the tooth and underlying bone and to check for signs of decay or infection. Many toothaches are caused by decay and can be treated with fillings. When decay is deep in the central portion of the tooth (the pulp), a root canal may be needed to relieve symptoms and preserve the tooth. Impacted teeth including wisdom teeth typically require an extraction. Cracked and chipped teeth may need to have a crown or other repair, while toothache caused by damage to an existing restoration like a loose filling will need to be carefully evaluated to determine if a new filling is in order to if a more extensive restoration is needed.

Can I just treat a mild toothache with pain medicine?

No, even a “mild” toothache can be a sign of a serious issue that needs to be addressed, and it can quickly progress into a major toothache that can be costly to repair. Make an appointment right away at the first sign of any toothache, no matter how mild it may seem.