Toothache can be the result of cavities, broken or cracked teeth, or poor alignment. It can also be a sign of other conditions like sinusitis, migraine, and even an abscess.

Depending on the cause, a toothache may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as increased sensitivity to hold and cold foods, difficulty chewing, nausea, vomiting, or fever.

It is important to see a dentist if you are experiencing toothache, especially if there are other symptoms involved. A dentist can help identify the cause of your toothache and arrange for the best treatment.

Common causes

The most common causes of toothache include:

1. Cavities

Cavities are the main cause of toothache and are caused by a build up of bacteria that leads to tooth decay.

Cavities are often associated with tooth pain and increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods/beverages. It is also common to develop holes in the teeth if cavities are left untreated.

What to do: It is important to see a dentist for treatment of a cavity. Treatment involves removing the cavity and the affected parts of the tooth followed by restoration of the tooth. More extensive cavities may require a root canal or the tooth might need to be pulled (removed).

2. Broken or cracked teeth

Teeth that are broken or cracked (from a blow to the face or after eating very hard foods, for example) can cause toothache and other symptoms like difficulty chewing and increased sensitivity to cold foods/beverages.

What to do: It is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and repair the damaged teeth. The dentist may also recommend taking analgesics (pain relievers) for a few days.

3. Malocclusion

Malocclusion is when the teeth are poorly aligned. Malocclusion can lead to toothache, pain with chewing, and tooth decay.

What to do: It is important to see a dentist to confirm the diagnosis of malocclusion. Treatment usually involves the use of dental apparatuses (such as braces or retainers). Toothache related to malocclusion typically improves when alignment is fixed.

4. Sinusitis

Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses, is a condition that can cause pain similar to a toothache.

Pain from sinusitis typically affects the upper teeth (maxillary region) and may be associated with other symptoms such as fever, cough, and phlegm in the throat.

What to do: Toothache related to sinusitis tends to improve with treatment of the infection. It is important to consult your family doctor or other healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis and get started on treatment, which usually involves antibiotics.

5. Migraine

Migraine is a type of headache that may cause toothache in some cases.

Pain from a migraine is typically one-sided and throbbing in nature. The pain may be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Learn about migraine symptoms.

What to do: Taking measures to stay hydrated and avoiding long periods of fasting can help prevent migraine attacks and keep them from getting worse.

In addition, it is important to consult your primary care provider or a neurologist to confirm a diagnosis of migraine and develop the best treatment approach. Treatment may involve analgesics or other migraine-specific medications for acute attacks and the use of preventive medications like anti-seizure drugs.

6. Dental abscess

Dental abscesses are collections of pus that can form as a result of cavities, blows to the face, or poor oral hygiene and are another possible cause of toothache.

In addition to tooth pain, an abscess may cause other symptoms such as redness of the face, difficulty chewing, and fever.

What to do: It is important to seek urgent medical care if you suspect you may have an abscess. If the presences of an abscess is confirmed, treatment will involve a surgery to drain the abscess and medications like antibiotics and analgesics. Some cases may involve removal of the affected teeth.

7. Teething in babies

Teething pain is common in babies and usually starts around six months of age, when the baby teeth start to break through the surface of the gums.

Other symptoms related to teething may include irritability, excessive drooling, and redness of the gums. Read more about symptoms of teething in babies.

What to do: To relieve pain related to teething, try massaging the gums, offering a teething ring or a popsicle made from breast milk, or administering camilia drops.

8. Losing baby teeth

Kids may experience pain when their baby teeth start to fall out, which usually starts to happen naturally around the age of 6.

In some cases, the baby tooth may loosen but not fall out, causing pain when the permanent (adult) tooth starts to come through or a trauma like being hit in the mouth causes the tooth to fall out to early.

What to do: Children with tooth pain should be brought to the dentist for an evaluation. The dentist may remove the baby tooth if the adult tooth is already ready to break through but the baby tooth still has not fallen out. An X-ray can be done to see if there is enough space for the adult tooth to come in.

9. Gum disease

Gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis can cause toothache from inflammation or infection of the gums.

These conditions can be caused by a buildup of plaque or tartar between the teeth and the gums, resulting in inflammation, infection, or breakdown of the tissue supporting the teeth, affecting one or more teeth.

What to do: It is important to see a dentist to evaluate for gingivitis and periodontitis. The dentist can remove the buildup of tartar, after which it is important to maintain good brushing habits using the correct technique. A soft bristled toothbrush or electric toothbrush should be used along with daily flossing. Learn more about how to get rid of gingivitis using home remedies.

Treatment with antibiotics or surgery may be indicated in the case of periodontitis.