Conditions Toothache Written by on May 25, 2016 (Updated: August 8, 2020) Table of Contents[Hide][Show] A toothache is pain in or around a tooth usually caused by cavities, a fracture, or gum disease. Many — but not all — of these must be treated by a dentist, and some are dental emergencies. The fastest way to stop a toothache at home is by taking ibuprofen (Advil) or another NSAID, like aspirin. NSAIDs are the best painkillers for toothache. If you have a toothache that lasts longer than 1-2 days, is severely painful, causes your face to droop, or is accompanied by fever, pain on opening your mouth, or an earache, contact your dentist right away. Your dentist may suggest treatments such as a dental filling, an extraction, or a root canal for a toothache caused by tooth decay. To prevent toothaches from cavities, practice good oral hygiene, use a remineralizing toothpaste that contains hydroxyapatite or fluoride, avoid cavity-causing foods and drinks, and never skip dental checkups. When you face unbearable tooth pain, there are two things to do right away:
Let’s look at how to stop your toothache fast, common causes of tooth pain, home remedies, and treatments your dentist may prescribe. Toothache SymptomsToothache symptoms may include:
How to Stop Tooth Pain FastWhat is the fastest way to stop a toothache at home? The fastest way to stop a toothache at home is to take effective pain medication, like ibuprofen. NSAIDs, which reduce inflammation, are better for tooth pain than other painkillers. For fast relief, try the Advil toothache trick recommended by dentists:
Best Toothache PainkillersIbuprofen is the best painkiller for toothache.If ibuprofen is not working for your toothache, try aspirin, which is also an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not well-suited for tooth pain because is not an NSAID and will not reduce inflammation that causes your pain. In general, non-NSAIDs and even opioids aren’t very effective for toothache pain. If over-the-counter painkillers are not working for your toothache, call your dentist right away. You may need another medication, such as an antibiotic, in preparation for having the tooth pain fixed. Common Causes of ToothacheA toothache is any pain in or around your teeth that may be caused by:
Tooth Decay/CavitiesCavities, or dental caries, cause tooth pain as bacteria destroy tooth enamel, then dentin. The acids excreted by cavity-causing bacteria cause inflammation when they reach the dentin and trigger swelling. Tooth pain is unique, in part because swelling in the pulp has no place to expand, causing excruciating pain until the inflammation and swelling go down. Dental AbscessA tooth abscess (periapical abscess) is a pocket of pus at the tip of the tooth root as a result of a bacterial infection. Tooth abscesses cause extreme tooth pain. A gum abscess (periodontal abscess) is a similar pocket within the gums that can also cause significant tooth pain. Tooth abscesses often occur after trauma to the teeth or when the infection in untreated cavities continues to grow. Gum abscesses are more frequently a result of advanced gum disease. Treatment and home remedies for dental abscess differ depending on the type of abscess. Fractured ToothInjury or trauma to a tooth can cause it to fracture or chip. A tooth fracture can cause severe tooth pain when you bite down, as well as severe tooth sensitivityto hot and cold foods or drinks. Root SensitivityMild, infrequent tooth pain may be caused by tooth root sensitivity. If your teeth hurt immediately after eating candy or drinking soda, there’s a good chance root sensitivity is to blame. Root sensitivity occurs when things like acidic foods have made your dentin more porous. When this happens, brushing your teeth wears away dentin, causing sensitivity. Bruxism/Teeth GrindingGrinding your teeth can lead to tooth sensitivity and toothache over time. This trauma to the tooth can weaken enamel and dentin, leading to more frequent tooth decay. The weaker your dentin, the more likely you are to wind up with a painful fracture that causes a toothache. Damaged or Lost FillingIf a dental filling falls out or becomes damaged, it may cause a toothache when sensitive dentin is exposed. Schedule a dental appointment right away if this happens. As saliva remineralizes the newly exposed dentin, the pain may begin to subside. However, this is not a permanent fix and your tooth will still need repair. Adult or Wisdom Teeth EruptionAny form of teething has the potential to cause pain, but wisdom teeth (“third molars”) coming in is most likely to cause a toothache. Any adult or wisdom tooth may not have enough space to come in and put pressure on nearby teeth, causing tooth pain. Often, pain from wisdom teeth comes from food impaction issues caused by teeth crowding or impaction. This may cause a cavity to form, as the teeth are not ideally seated next to one another and may create a space more likely to develop decay. Gum DiseaseIf you suffer from gum disease (periodontal disease), it’s likely that gum recession will expose the upper parts of your tooth root, which can hurt very easily when exposed to hot or cold. Gum disease, the first sign of which is bleeding gums, can eventually lead to more frequent cavities, food getting stuck in teeth, and generally painful dental issues. Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)Inflammation or infection of the sinuses can cause tooth pain from sinus pressure and drainage. Usually, this pain is isolated to upper teeth near the back of your mouth (closest to your sinuses). An infected tooth may also be a cause of sinusitis, so it’s important to work with your dentist and primary care physician to determine which issue is the root cause of your tooth pain. TMJ/TMDPain in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), also known as TMD, usually affects your jaw. However, over time, it may cause aching in your teeth from referred pain. Failed Dental WorkPulpitis, which may or may not be reversible, can cause toothache after dental work. If you’ve recently had a new filling or other dental work done, talk to your dentist about your painful symptoms. Food Stuck in TeethIf food gets stuck between your teeth, it can cause pain and sensitivity around where your tooth connects to your gum line. This is more common if you suffer from receding gums. This is technically not a true “toothache”, as it causes pain in your gums and only feels like a toothache. It’s usually easy to clear food between teeth with a piece of knotted floss. Failure to dislodge food may lead to tooth decay. When to See a DentistDepending on your symptoms, a toothache might require immediate attention, an exam within the next few weeks, or simply a follow-up with your dentist at your next cleaning. Schedule an emergency dental appointment immediately if:
If your dentist doesn’t get back with you within an hour or so and you experience the above symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room. Call your dentist for an appointment in the next few weeks if:
If your tooth pain is mild, associated with a sinus infection, clears up with a nasal decongestant, and/or can be reversed by adjusting the foods you eat, it’s probably not cause for an additional dental appointment. But it’s still a good idea to talk about your tooth pain with your dentist at your next cleaning. Home & Natural Remedies for ToothacheWhile they may not be a great severe toothache remedy in many cases, there are several natural remedies that can help stop a toothache at home:
How to Sleep with a ToothacheOther home remedies for toothache may help reduce the more extreme pain of a toothache at night so you can still sleep well:
DiagnosisIf your toothache won’t go away, it’s a sign that your dentist needs to identify the cause of your pain and correct it. To diagnose the cause of a toothache, your dentist may:
Once your dentist has determined what caused your toothache, he or she will prescribe treatment. Toothache TreatmentsDepending on the root cause of your toothache, the treatment will differ. Treatments for tooth pain include:
How to Prevent ToothacheThe best way to prevent toothache is to prevent cavities and other oral health problems like gum disease. Toothache prevention includes:
Toothache Remedies to AvoidAfter over 3 decades as a dentist, I’ve seen many patients try toothache remedies that make oral health problems much worse in the end. Do not use the following remedies for a toothache:
FAQsQ Why does my toothache come and go?A Sometimes, pain comes and goes as it responds to a temporary stimulus, like hot, cold, or sugar. Other times, it might be an abscess flaring up and then healing enough that the pain subsides, even if the infection itself isn’t completely gone. Cracked teeth also often have acute pain that fades and recurs as the pulp inside the tooth gets irritated or infected, heals, and then gets irritated again. Q Can a toothache cause a headache?A Yes. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for carrying messages for almost all toothaches as well as headaches, which often means that toothaches can be directly responsible for headaches. Additionally, we often tense up other areas of the body like the jaw when our teeth hurt, which can lead to headaches. Other problems, like sinus infections, can sometimes radiate as both toothaches and headaches. Q When do you need to take an antibiotic for tooth pain?A Typically, you’ll get a prescription antibiotic if your dentist suspects or finds infection. This is also a common prescription for the period of time before a root canal, in order to get the large infection under control before opening the tooth. Q I’m taking amoxicillin for a toothache and it isn’t helping. What can I do?A Many tooth infections are resistant to amoxicillin. Connect with your doctor or dentist again and ask about changing your prescription to another kind of antibiotic. When I prescribe amoxicillin to my patients, I tell them to contact me if their pain hasn’t improved within 3 days so that we can get them on a different treatment. Q I’ve had a toothache for a month and nothing is working, but the pain only comes at night when I get ready to go to bed. What can I do to make it stop?A First, see a dentist. You’re likely dealing with an abscessed tooth that needs medical attention. It won’t heal on its own. The pain is probably worse at night because you’re laying down, which increases the blood pressure to your tooth since it’s at the same level as your heart. You can try elevating your head and even your upper torso at night to relieve the pain, but that will only help relieve the pain a little. Ultimately, it’s important that you get treatment so your body can properly heal. Prognosis & OutlookToothaches can be some of the most severe pain you ever endure, but the good news is that they are almost always reversible with the right treatment. Most tooth pain happens as a result of cavities, and most cavity restoration procedures only require a day or two for recovery. By following good prevention strategies and addressing a toothache as soon as it happens, you will be well on your way to pain-free living again. References
About Mark Burhenne, DDSHi, I’m Dr. B, practicing functional dentist for 35 years. I graduated from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA in 1987 and am a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Academy of General Dentistry (Chicago, IL), American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH), and Dental Board of California. I’m on a mission to empower people everywhere with the same evidence-based, easy-to-understand dental health advice that my patients get. Learn more about Dr. B Online R.I have had horrible dentists all my life. Bad root canals and caps. Enter Mark Burhenne, DDS. He has created a dental plan that has SALVAGED my teeth and restored my confidence and ability to smile. For the first time in my life, I look forward to going to the dentist. – Online R. Quang T.Dr. Burhenne is a perfectionist. I have been his patient for 5+ years and have had 5 dental crowns installed on implants and a root canal done by him personally and I am very satisfied. He would not finish the procedure until my bite was perfect and I was satisfied with the results. His staff are very welcoming and by far the most hospitable dental staff I’ve seen ever. – Quang T. Ben D.Dr. Bruhenne is the best dentist!! I don’t say this lightly either, he understands the connection between a healthy mouth and a healthy body with his Functional Medicine approach to dentistry. – Ben D. Dr. Mark‘s Parenting TipsFree weekly inspiration in your inbox. Give yourself the support you need, to be the parent you want to be. Dr. Mark is the author of the best-selling book 8-Hour Sleep ParadoxHow many ibuprofen 800 should I take for a toothache?After that there is no additional benefit of a higher dose, so we at Katy Trail Dental recommend 3 (three) tablets of ibuprofen (600 mg), sometimes 4 (four) tablets (800 mg) to combat your dental pain. This can be repeated every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
How much ibuprofen can I take for tooth pain?Key Points. How long does ibuprofen 800 take to work for toothache?You should start to feel better 20 to 30 minutes after taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid. For some types of long-term pain, you'll need to take ibuprofen regularly for up to 3 weeks for it to work properly.
Can ibuprofen take away tooth pain?Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
“Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
|