Toothache is a common dental problem that affects almost everyone at some stage in their lives. Did you know that 1 in every 5 Australians aged 15 and above suffered from toothache in the last twelve months? Unfortunately, a severe or long-term toothache can significantly affect one’s quality of life. But the good news is that toothache is treatable and preventable. However, to treat dental pain, one must first understand the various causes of tooth pain.
At Vision Dental, we assess your symptoms, examine the affected area, and discuss suitable treatment options to help address the cause of your tooth pain.
A toothache is pain or discomfort in or around a tooth. It may feel sharp, throbbing, constant, or intermittent, and can range from mild sensitivity to severe pain.
Toothache can develop when decay, damage, inflammation, or infection affects the tooth or surrounding tissues. Even if the pain temporarily disappears, the underlying problem may still need dental attention.
Ongoing or recurring pain may indicate tooth decay, inflammation, or another dental problem that needs assessment.
Pain triggered by hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks may be related to enamel wear, exposed dentine, decay, or pulp inflammation.
Discomfort when chewing or biting down can sometimes indicate a cracked tooth, a damaged filling, or inflammation around the tooth.
Swelling around the gums or face, a bad taste, or pus may indicate an infection that requires urgent dental assessment.
Toothache can be caused due to various reasons. Some of these are:
resulting in the exposure of the sensitive pulp tissue, which contains a rich nerve supply
An injury to the tooth or gums can cause significant, especially in the case of a deep tooth fracture exposing the pulp.
This occurs as a result of an underlying periodontal infection. The harmful bacteria inside the plaque and tartar release toxins that irritate the gums, causing them to move away from their position, downwards towards the roots. This results in the exposure of the underlying roots, making them sensitive.
A loose or improperly placed restoration can promote further tooth decay around it, resulting in pain and swelling.
This occurs due to the inflammation of the dental pulp’s exposure caused by a tooth cavity or trauma. When the pulp becomes inflamed, it causes severe pain and swelling. This situation is treated by performing a root canal procedure.
Teeth can become sensitive become of chemical erosion of the enamel due to excessive intake of acidic foods or drinks or the use of very heavy forces while brushing. Such teeth become painful whenever one takes hot or cold foods or beverages.
At Vision Dental, we believe a confident smile starts with personalised dental care. We take the time to understand your concerns and help you explore appropriate options for a brighter smile.
A dental examination helps identify the likely cause of your pain and guide appropriate treatment.
Recommendations are based on your symptoms, oral health, and the condition of the affected tooth.
Treatment aims to address the underlying cause rather than simply mask the pain.
When clinically appropriate, treatment may help retain and restore your natural tooth.
Understand your treatment options, the steps involved, and what to expect during recovery.
Receive guidance on oral hygiene, regular check-ups, and ways to reduce the risk of future toothache.
The most common cause of toothache is a dental infection or tooth decay caused by poor oral hygiene maintenance. So, the first step in preventing toothache is brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once daily. Another reason for toothache is dental injuries. Although not all dental injuries can be prevented, we can minimize them by taking precautions. For example, we must ask our children to wear mouthguards while playing contact sports.
So, it all comes down to prevention and precaution. Despite this, if you or a loved one is having a severe toothache, it should never be taken lightly as it may indicate something serious. Instead, you should call us immediately so that we treat it without delay.
Common causes include tooth decay, cracked teeth, damaged fillings, gum problems, exposed dentine, and dental infections. A dental examination is needed to determine the cause.
Yes, especially if the pain persists, returns repeatedly, affects sleep, or occurs with swelling or sensitivity. Severe or worsening pain should be assessed urgently.
Gently rinse your mouth with warm water, avoid foods that trigger pain, and choose soft foods. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about suitable pain relief for your circumstances.
Pain may temporarily settle, but this does not necessarily mean the underlying problem has resolved. Arrange a dental assessment to identify the cause.
No. Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Some problems can be managed with a filling or other treatment, while damage to the pulp may require root canal treatment.
Yes. A dental infection can cause swelling in the gums, face, or jaw and may spread if untreated. Seek urgent dental assessment for swelling, particularly if it is increasing.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, limit frequent sugary snacks and drinks, and attend regular dental check-ups.
Seek urgent dental care for severe pain, swelling, or suspected infection. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, or feel seriously unwell, seek emergency medical care immediately.
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