Tooth pain
Tooth pain can have many different causes. Whether your pain is constant, sensitive to hot or cold, uncomfortable when biting or affecting your gums, our guide can help you understand what may be happening and when to seek professional advice.
Why does my tooth hurt?
Toothache is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Pain can come from the tooth itself, the nerve inside it, the gums and supporting tissues, your bite, or sometimes from structures outside the teeth altogether.
The type of pain you experience can give useful clues, but a dental examination is often needed to establish the cause. This guide explains some of the most common patterns of dental pain and what they may mean.
What type of pain are you experiencing?
Choose the symptom that sounds most like yours to watch the relevant video and learn more.
Constant toothache
An ache that persists, throbs or keeps returning.
Pain when biting
Discomfort when you chew or put pressure on a tooth.
Sensitive teeth
Sharp discomfort with cold, hot, sweet or acidic foods.
Possible tooth infection
Pain associated with swelling, tenderness or feeling unwell.
Gum pain
Sore, swollen or tender gums around one or more teeth.
Pain that may not be a tooth
Facial or jaw pain that feels like toothache but has another cause.
Why do I have a constant toothache?
A persistent ache usually means that something is irritating the tooth or the tissues around it. The discomfort may be mild and nagging or develop into stronger, throbbing pain.
Possible causes include:
- Tooth decay
- Inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth
- A cracked or damaged tooth
- Infection around the root
- Problems with the gums or supporting tissues
Persistent pain is worth investigating even if it temporarily improves, because the underlying cause may still be present.
Watch: Why do I have a constant toothache?
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite?
Pain that appears mainly when you chew or bite can point towards a different group of problems than general sensitivity.
Common causes can include:
- A cracked tooth
- A damaged or loose filling
- A tooth that is inflamed around the root
- A restoration that is taking too much pressure when you bite
- Problems with the gums or supporting bone
Cracks can sometimes be difficult to see, so an examination and appropriate tests may be required to identify the source of the pain.
Watch: Why do my teeth hurt when I bite?
Why are my teeth sensitive?
Sensitive teeth often cause a short, sharp pain when exposed to cold drinks, hot foods, sweet foods or even cold air.
Possible causes include:
- Gum recession exposing the root surface
- Worn enamel or tooth wear
- Tooth decay
- A cracked tooth or filling
- Recent dental treatment
- Inflammation inside the tooth
Occasional mild sensitivity may be manageable, but sensitivity that is new, worsening or lingering after the trigger has gone should be checked.
Watch: Why are my teeth sensitive?
Do I have a tooth infection?
Dental infections can develop when bacteria reach the tissues inside a tooth or the area around its root.
Symptoms can include:
- Persistent or throbbing toothache
- Pain when biting
- Swelling of the gum, face or jaw
- A bad taste or discharge around a tooth
- Tenderness around the affected area
- Feeling generally unwell in more significant infections
Treatment depends on the source of the infection and the condition of the tooth. A dental assessment is needed to identify the cause and decide on the most appropriate treatment.
If you have facial swelling, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or feel significantly unwell, contact us promptly for advice.
Watch: Do I have a tooth infection?
Why do my gums hurt?
Gum pain does not always mean there is a problem with the tooth itself. Tender or swollen gums can arise for several reasons.
These can include:
- Gum inflammation
- Food trapped between teeth
- Gum disease
- Infection around a tooth
- Problems around a wisdom tooth
- Trauma from brushing or cleaning between the teeth
Bleeding, persistent swelling, bad breath or gums that are receding are all good reasons to arrange a dental or hygiene assessment.
Watch: Why do my gums hurt?
Not all toothache comes from a tooth
Pain can sometimes feel as though it is coming from a tooth even when the tooth itself is healthy.
Possible non-dental sources include:
- Jaw muscles and clenching or grinding
- The jaw joint
- Sinus problems
- Pain referred from another area
- Less common nerve-related causes
This is one reason why identifying the exact source of pain can sometimes be more complicated than it first appears. A careful history and examination can help distinguish tooth-related pain from other causes.
Watch: Not all toothache comes from a tooth
What can I do for tooth pain at home?
Home measures may make toothache more manageable while you arrange appropriate dental care, but they do not treat the underlying cause.
If you are normally able to take them, appropriate over-the-counter painkillers may help. Always follow the instructions on the packet, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure what is suitable for you.
Try to avoid foods or drinks that trigger the pain and avoid chewing on the affected area until it has been assessed.
Watch: What can I do for my toothache at home?
Avoid pain triggers
Very hot, cold or sweet foods can aggravate some types of tooth pain.
Chew on the other side
Try to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the affected tooth.
Keep the area clean
Continue gentle brushing and cleaning unless doing so causes significant discomfort.
Don't ignore ongoing pain
Pain that continues or keeps returning usually deserves a professional assessment.
When should I see a dentist?
Tooth pain has many possible causes, and it is not always easy to judge how urgently you need to be seen from the symptoms alone.
Need help deciding how urgent your problem is?
If you have significant toothache, swelling, a broken tooth, dental trauma or another problem that may need urgent attention, visit our Emergency Dental Care page for advice on what to do next.
Treating the cause of tooth pain
Once we understand what is causing your symptoms, we can discuss the most appropriate way to treat the problem and protect your teeth.
Root canal treatment
Used when the nerve inside a tooth has become inflamed or infected.
Learn more →Broken teeth & cavities
Explore fillings, crowns and treatment for damaged or decayed teeth.
Learn more →Tooth extraction
Sometimes a tooth cannot predictably be repaired or saved and removal may be the most appropriate option.
Learn more →Worn teeth
Tooth wear can contribute to sensitivity, discomfort and changes in your bite.
Learn more →Emergency dentistry
Need urgent help with pain, swelling, trauma or a broken tooth?
Emergency care →Tooth pain FAQs
Can toothache go away on its own?
Although toothache can sometimes go away on its own, the underlying problem will often still be there and the pain may return, sometimes much more severely. If you have had a significant or painful toothache, it is better to have the tooth assessed even if the pain has now settled. A very minor niggle or occasional sensitivity may not always mean there is a significant problem, but a proper toothache that has been quite painful should be checked.
Does toothache always mean I need root canal treatment?
No. Tooth pain has many possible causes. Root canal treatment is generally considered when the nerve inside a tooth is significantly inflamed or infected and the tooth can otherwise be restored.
Why does my tooth hurt at night?
Toothache can feel more noticeable at night because there are fewer distractions and lying down may sometimes make throbbing discomfort feel more pronounced. Ongoing night pain should be assessed.
Why can't I tell which tooth hurts?
It is very common to find it difficult to tell exactly which tooth is hurting. Dental pain can be referred, because the smaller nerves from individual teeth feed into larger nerve pathways. This can make a whole area ache and make it difficult to pinpoint one particular tooth. This is completely normal. Your dentist can use dental tests and X-rays to help identify which tooth is causing the pain and what the underlying problem is.
Will antibiotics cure my toothache?
Antibiotics are not required for most toothache and do not remove the underlying dental cause. Your dentist will determine whether antibiotics are appropriate based on the type and extent of any infection.
Still unsure what's causing your tooth pain?
The best way to understand dental pain is to assess the tooth and surrounding area properly. Our team can investigate the cause, explain what we find and help you decide on the right next step.