Rinse and clean gently
Use warm water and carefully clean between the teeth in case trapped food is adding pressure.
Emergency
Toothache Treatment
Find out why your tooth hurts and how urgently it needs care.
Toothache is a symptom, not a diagnosis. An urgent assessment can identify whether pain comes from decay, a crack, inflammation, infection or another dental problem.
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Toothache is a symptom: the cause determines the treatment.
Toothache may feel like a dull ache, a sharp pain when biting, lingering sensitivity or severe throbbing that becomes worse at night. The pattern can offer clues, but it cannot confirm the diagnosis on its own.
Decay, a cracked tooth, an inflamed dental pulp, infection, gum problems or pressure around a wisdom tooth can produce similar pain. A dental assessment is needed to locate the source, judge how urgent it is and decide which treatment—if any—is appropriate.
Common signs
Persistent or throbbing pain
Pain may be constant, pulse with your heartbeat or become worse at night.
Pain when biting
Pressure on one tooth may cause a sharp or localised pain.
Hot or cold sensitivity
Sensitivity that lingers after the trigger has gone can indicate irritation inside the tooth.
Swelling or a bad taste
Gum or facial swelling, discharge or an unpleasant taste can be signs of infection.
Toothache? Do these things now.
These steps may make you more comfortable while you arrange professional care, but they will not treat the underlying cause.
Use suitable pain relief
If you can normally take it, follow the packet guidance for over-the-counter pain relief. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
Arrange a dental assessment
Contact a dentist if pain is severe, recurring, affects sleep or lasts longer than a day or two.
What to avoid
- Do not place aspirin or painkillers directly against the tooth or gum, as this can damage the tissue.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sugary foods if they trigger pain.
- Do not assume that pain stopping means the problem has healed; a damaged nerve can stop responding while infection remains.
When should toothache be treated as an emergency?
Severe pain deserves prompt care, and signs that infection may be spreading require urgent assessment.
Facial or neck swelling
Increasing swelling, especially around the eye, jaw or neck, needs urgent attention.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Call 999 or attend A&E if swelling affects your airway or ability to swallow.
Fever or feeling unwell
Pain accompanied by fever, weakness or confusion may indicate spreading infection.
Pain uncontrolled by medication
Severe pain that prevents sleep or normal activity should be assessed promptly.
Not sure whether it can wait?
Our emergency dental team can help you understand whether you need to be seen urgently.
What happens if I leave toothache untreated?
The cause of toothache often progresses without dental treatment, even if symptoms temporarily ease.
- Decay may spread deeper into the tooth.
- Inflammation of the dental pulp may become irreversible.
- An abscess can form and infection may spread into surrounding tissues.
- A tooth that could have been restored may eventually need root canal treatment or extraction.
How a dentist finds and treats the cause of toothache
The dentist will ask when the pain started and what triggers it, examine the tooth and gums, and may test the tooth or take an X-ray. The findings—not the severity of pain alone—determine treatment.
Relieve pain and protect the tooth
Decay, a damaged filling or a small fracture may be cleaned and restored where appropriate.
- temporary or permanent filling
- repair of a damaged restoration
- advice for managing symptoms safely
Treat the tooth nerve or infection
If the pulp is badly inflamed or infected, treatment may be needed to remove the source of pain.
- root canal treatment or emergency pulp treatment
- drainage where clinically appropriate
- extraction when the tooth cannot be saved
After your emergency appointment
Follow the treatment-specific advice given by your dentist.
- Take prescribed or recommended medication exactly as directed.
- Avoid chewing on a temporarily restored tooth until advised otherwise.
- Attend any follow-up appointment needed to complete treatment.
Reducing the risk of future toothache
- Maintain regular dental examinations so decay and failing restorations can be found early.
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth.
- Limit frequent sugary food and drinks.
Related emergency dental guidance
These pages explain closely related symptoms and treatments without replacing a dental assessment.
Common questions
Clear answers to questions patients often ask before an urgent dental assessment.
Toothache needs urgent dental assessment when it is severe, prevents sleep or eating, follows trauma, or occurs with swelling, fever or feeling unwell. Call 999 or attend A&E if swelling affects breathing or swallowing.
Toothache may feel more noticeable when you lie down and there are fewer distractions. Night pain can occur with significant pulp inflammation, but only an examination can identify the cause.
Pain can settle temporarily, but that does not prove the problem has healed. Decay, a crack or an infected or damaged pulp may remain even if the tooth stops responding.
A dentist can examine the tooth and gums, test the tooth and take an X-ray where needed. Treatment may involve a filling, repair, drainage, root canal treatment or extraction, depending on the diagnosis.
No. Severe pain has several possible causes, and some can be managed with a restoration or other care. Root canal treatment is considered when the pulp is irreversibly inflamed or infected and the tooth can be restored.
Keep the area gently clean, avoid foods and temperatures that trigger pain, and use over-the-counter pain relief only if it is suitable for you and according to the packet. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
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Other emergency dental problems we treat
Explore guidance for other common dental emergencies, including symptoms, what to do immediately and when to seek urgent dental care.
Swelling or dental abscess
Swelling, tenderness or a bad taste may indicate an infection that should be examined promptly.
Broken or chipped tooth
Assessment and repair options for a tooth damaged by an accident, impact or biting.
Lost filling or crown
Protect an exposed or sensitive tooth and arrange an assessment before further damage occurs.
Wisdom tooth pain
Help for pain, swelling or infection around an emerging or impacted wisdom tooth.
Emergency tooth extraction
When a tooth cannot be restored, an urgent assessment can establish the safest next step.
Root canal treatment
Treatment may help relieve pain and address infection inside a damaged tooth.
Loose implant crown or lost veneer
Careful assessment distinguishes a loose implant restoration, a moving implant and a detached veneer.
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