Tooth won t stop hurting
Persistent tooth pain can come from decay, an inflamed pulp, a cracked tooth, gum disease, or pressure around an erupting tooth.
The short answer
Persistent tooth pain can come from decay, an inflamed pulp, a cracked tooth, gum disease, or pressure around an erupting tooth. Pain that continues needs diagnosis because painkillers can reduce symptoms without removing the dental cause.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. Deep decay, trauma, or a crack can inflame or infect it; pain may be spontaneous, triggered by heat or cold, worse on biting, or referred to another tooth.
What can you do next?
Rinse gently, keep the area clean, avoid very hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods, and chew on the opposite side. Use only pain medicine that suits your health history and follow the label; do not place aspirin or chemicals on the gum.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange prompt dental care for pain that persists, wakes you, or returns after medication. Seek urgent help for facial swelling, fever, pus, inability to open the mouth, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which tooth is responsible, whether cold testing, percussion, bite testing, or an X-ray is needed, and whether treatment means a filling, root canal treatment, extraction, or gum care. Ask what warning signs require same-day help.
Frequently asked questions
Why does tooth pain sometimes stop and return?
Pulp inflammation can fluctuate, and a damaged or infected pulp may temporarily lose sensation while the disease continues.
Can antibiotics cure tooth pain?
Antibiotics do not remove decay or repair a tooth; a dentist decides whether they are appropriate when infection has spread or systemic symptoms are present.