Toothache: what to do now, and when to see a dentist
Toothache often starts at the worst moment: late at night, on a weekend or before a flight. This guide explains how to ease the pain safely until you can see a dentist, what not to do, the signs that mean you need help the same day or a hospital, and what usually causes the pain.
What to do right now
- Rinse: swish warm water, or warm water with half a teaspoon of salt, around your mouth to clear food and soothe the gum.
- Clean around the tooth: floss gently in case food is stuck between the teeth.
- Pain relief: take ordinary pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed on the pack, if they are safe for you. Ask a pharmacist if you are pregnant, take other medicines or have stomach, kidney or heart problems.
- Swelling: hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek for 10 minutes at a time.
- At night: sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow.
- Food and drink: avoid very hot, very cold and sugary food, and chew on the other side.
What not to do
- Do not put aspirin or other tablets on the gum. They burn the gum and do not reach the tooth.
- Do not put heat on a swollen face; it can make an infection spread faster.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else's. They may be the wrong ones, and they do not fix the cause.
- Do not ignore pain that stops on its own. It can mean the nerve has died while the infection carries on.
When it cannot wait
Go to a hospital emergency department, or call 998, if you have: swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or open your mouth; swelling spreading towards your eye or down your neck; a high fever with tooth pain; or heavy bleeding that will not stop.
See a dentist the same day if you have: pain that keeps you awake or does not settle with pain relief, a swollen gum or face, a bad taste or a pimple on the gum, a broken tooth, or pain after a knock to the mouth. Healthpoint is open every day, 9 AM to 9 PM, with same-day emergency appointments and a free emergency consultation.
What usually causes toothache
| What you feel | Likely cause | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
| A short, sharp twinge with sweet, hot or cold food that fades quickly | A cavity or an exposed root | A filling or a desensitising treatment |
| Throbbing pain that lingers, or wakes you at night | An inflamed or infected nerve | Root canal treatment or an extraction |
| Pain when biting, a swollen gum and a bad taste | An abscess | Draining the infection, then a root canal or extraction |
| Sharp pain when biting on one spot, on and off | A cracked tooth | A filling or a crown |
| Pain and swelling at the back of the jaw | A wisdom tooth coming through | Cleaning the area, sometimes removal |
| An ache in several upper back teeth during a cold | Sinus pressure | Often settles with the cold; see the dentist if it does not |
| Jaw and tooth ache on waking | Grinding or clenching at night | A night guard |
Only an exam and, often, an X-ray can confirm the cause.
What happens at the dentist
The dentist asks about your pain, examines the tooth and takes an X-ray if needed. The first aim is to stop the pain or infection, for example by draining an abscess, cleaning out an infected nerve or placing a temporary filling. You then get your options and their prices before any further treatment. At Healthpoint, an X-ray is AED 50, fillings start from AED 99 per tooth, root canals from AED 399 and simple extractions from AED 100.
Stopping it happening again
Most toothache comes from decay or gum problems that build up slowly without pain. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth and having regular check-ups catches problems while they are small and cheaper to fix. Read how often to have your teeth cleaned.
Frequently asked questions
Why is toothache worse at night?
Lying down sends more blood towards your head, which raises the pressure around an inflamed tooth, and there is less to distract you. Sleeping with your head raised can help until you see a dentist.
My toothache stopped. Do I still need a dentist?
Yes. Pain that stops on its own can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died, while the infection carries on and can later form an abscess. A dentist can check with an exam and X-ray.
Can a sinus infection cause toothache?
Yes. The roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the sinuses, so sinus pressure can feel like toothache in several teeth at once. If the ache stays after the cold clears, see a dentist.
Does salt water help toothache?
A warm salt water rinse can clean the area and soothe a sore gum, but it does not treat the cause. Use it to ease pain until you can see a dentist.
Medical review: to be completed by a Healthpoint dentist, whose name and title will be shown here. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis; your dentist will advise on your own teeth.