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A comprehensive guide to understanding why toothaches happen, how to find relief, and when professional dental care is essential.
About the treatment
Toothache is one of the most common reasons people seek dental care, and it ranges from a dull, nagging ache to sharp, debilitating pain that disrupts sleep, eating, and daily life. Understanding the cause of your toothache is the first step toward effective treatment, because the pain itself is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. The most frequent cause of toothache is dental decay (cavities). When bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode tooth enamel and penetrate into the softer dentin layer beneath, the nerve inside the tooth becomes irritated. Other common causes include gum disease (periodontitis), cracked or fractured teeth, damaged fillings, teeth grinding (bruxism), an impacted wisdom tooth, or an abscess where infection has reached the root tip. Less obvious triggers include sinus infections that create pressure on upper tooth roots, and referred pain from the temporomandibular joint. Modern diagnostic tools make identifying the source of tooth pain faster and more accurate than ever. På BestDent, we use digital radiography, cone-beam CT imaging, electric pulp vitality testing, and transillumination to pinpoint exactly which tooth is causing trouble and why. This precision matters because toothache pain can radiate and mislead patients into thinking the wrong tooth is the problem. Ignoring tooth pain is never advisable. What begins as mild sensitivity can progress to irreversible pulp damage, abscess formation, or the spread of infection to surrounding bone and soft tissues. In rare but serious cases, untreated dental infections can become life-threatening. Early intervention almost always means simpler, faster, and more comfortable treatment with a better long-term outcome.
We can make your smile look great
A comprehensive guide to understanding why toothaches happen, how to find relief, and when professional dental care is essential.
Keep your teeth healthy
Your dentist asks targeted questions about when the pain started, what triggers it, how long it lasts, and its character (sharp, dull, throbbing, constant). Your medical history, current medications, and any recent dental work are also reviewed. This conversation often narrows the possible causes significantly before any instruments are used.
The benefits of our dental treatments
- Accurate identification of the root cause through advanced diagnostic imaging
- Rapid pain relief through targeted treatment rather than guesswork
- Prevention of infection spread to neighbouring teeth, bone, and soft tissue
- Early intervention that preserves the tooth and avoids extraction
- Detection of hidden problems like hairline cracks or early-stage abscesses
- Personalised treatment plan tailored to the specific cause and severity
- Peace of mind from understanding your condition and knowing the next steps
- Prevention of chronic pain syndromes that can develop from untreated dental issues
- Protection of overall health, as dental infections are linked to cardiovascular and systemic risks
- Access to emergency and same-day appointments for urgent pain cases
Vem är det för?
- Anyone experiencing sudden, sharp, or throbbing tooth pain
- Those with lingering sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
- Patients who feel pain when biting down or applying pressure to a tooth
- Those with swollen, red, or bleeding gums around a specific tooth
- People whose toothache intensifies at night or when lying down
- Those experiencing facial swelling, fever, or a bad taste associated with tooth pain
- Patients with a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth causing discomfort
- Those with pain radiating to the ear, jaw, temple, or neck
- People who have lost a filling or crown and are now experiencing sensitivity
- Anyone unsure whether their tooth pain requires professional attention
Behandlingsprocess
Detailed Pain History and Symptom bedömning
Your dentist asks targeted questions about when the pain started, what triggers it, how long it lasts, and its character (sharp, dull, throbbing, constant). Your medical history, current medications, and any recent dental work are also reviewed. This conversation often narrows the possible causes significantly before any instruments are used.
Visual and Tactile Clinical Undersökning
Every tooth, the gums, tongue, and surrounding soft tissues are examined visually and with a dental probe. The dentist checks for visible decay, cracks, gum pockets, swelling, discolouration, and any signs of infection such as a draining fistula. Bite analysis helps identify teeth under abnormal stress.
Digital Radiographic Bilddiagnostik
Periapical and bitewing X-rays reveal decay between teeth, bone loss around roots, and abscesses at the root tips that are invisible to the eye. If the standard X-rays are inconclusive, a cone-beam CT scan provides a three-dimensional view of the tooth, root canals, and surrounding structures for definitive diagnosis.
Vitality and Sensitivity Testing
Cold tests, heat tests, and electric pulp testing determine whether the tooth nerve is alive, inflamed, or dead. These tests are brief and mildly uncomfortable but essential for distinguishing between reversible pulpitis (treatable with a filling) and irreversible pulpitis (requiring root canal treatment).
Diagnos and Behandling Planering
With all the evidence gathered, your dentist explains the diagnosis clearly and outlines your treatment options. Whether the solution is a simple filling, root canal treatment, gum therapy, or extraction, you receive a step-by-step plan with realistic timelines. På BestDent, we believe informed patients make better decisions about their care.
Immediate Smärtlindring
If you are in acute pain, same-day relief is the priority. This may involve draining an abscess, placing a sedative dressing, prescribing appropriate antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication, or beginning definitive treatment immediately. No patient should leave the clinic still in severe pain.
Definitive Behandling and Uppföljning
The underlying cause is treated according to the agreed plan, whether that involves a composite filling, root canal therapy, periodontal treatment, or surgical intervention. A follow-up appointment is scheduled to confirm healing and ensure the pain has fully resolved.
Vanliga Frågor
What is the most common cause of toothache?
Tooth decay is by far the most common cause. When bacteria erode through the enamel and reach the sensitive dentin or pulp, pain results. Gum disease, cracked teeth, and teeth grinding are the next most frequent causes. A proper examination is essential to determine the exact source.
Does toothache go away on its own?
Temporary sensitivity from minor enamel irritation may resolve, but persistent or worsening toothache will not heal without treatment. In fact, if pain from an inflamed nerve suddenly stops, it can mean the nerve has died, which is actually a worsening of the condition, not an improvement. Always consult a dentist.
What can I do at home to relieve toothache temporarily?
Over-the-counter ibuprofen is generally the most effective pain reliever for dental pain because it reduces both pain and inflammation. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek, rinsing with warm salt water, and avoiding very hot, cold, or sweet foods can also help. These are temporary measures only and do not replace professional treatment.
When should I seek emergency dental care?
Seek immediate care if you have severe uncontrollable pain, facial swelling that is spreading, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or trauma that has knocked out or broken a tooth. These situations can escalate quickly and require urgent professional intervention.
Why does my toothache get worse at night?
When you lie down, blood flow to your head increases, which raises pressure in the inflamed tooth pulp and intensifies pain. Additionally, there are fewer distractions at night, making you more aware of the discomfort. Elevating your head with an extra pillow and taking anti-inflammatory medication before bed can help.
Can a sinus infection cause toothache?
Yes, absolutely. The roots of your upper back teeth sit very close to the floor of the maxillary sinus. When the sinus is inflamed or infected, the pressure can cause aching pain in several upper teeth simultaneously. If multiple upper teeth hurt at once and you have nasal congestion, sinusitis may be the culprit.
Why does cold water relieve my toothache?
If cold water temporarily relieves a throbbing toothache, it usually indicates the tooth nerve is in the late stages of irreversible inflammation or has begun to die. The cold constricts swollen blood vessels inside the tooth, briefly reducing pressure. This is a significant sign that root canal treatment is likely needed soon.
Can stress cause toothache?
Stress itself does not directly damage teeth, but it frequently leads to teeth grinding and jaw clenching (bruxism), which places enormous pressure on teeth and can cause cracking, wear, and pain. Stress can also suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to gum infections that cause pain.
How can I prevent toothaches?
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, limit sugary foods and acidic drinks, and visit your dentist for check-ups every six months. Wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth and addressing small cavities before they grow are also important preventive steps.
Is it safe to take painkillers regularly for a toothache?
Painkillers are a temporary solution, not a treatment. Relying on them for more than a few days masks the problem while the underlying cause worsens. Prolonged use of anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause stomach, kidney, and cardiovascular side effects. See a dentist promptly to address the actual issue.
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