Hole in tooth how to stop pain

The hole is usually a cavity where acids made by plaque have dissolved enamel and dentine. Cold, heat, sugar, pressure, or trapped food can stimulate dentine tubules or inflamed pulp inside the tooth.

Brief pain can come from exposed dentine; lingering or spontaneous pain suggests inflammation deeper in the pulp. A visible hole cannot show how far the damage extends.

Rinse with lukewarm water, brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, and keep food out of the cavity. Avoid very hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods and do not put aspirin or household chemicals on the gum.

The dentist may place a filling after removing softened decay. If bacteria have inflamed or infected the pulp, treatment can involve a root canal and crown, or extraction when the tooth cannot be restored.

Book an appointment promptly for a hole, repeated pain, or food trapping. Facial swelling, fever, a bad taste with drainage, or difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing needs urgent dental assessment.

Ask whether the decay has reached the pulp, whether the tooth can be restored, and which imaging is needed. Ask what temporary pain measures are suitable for your medical history while definitive treatment is arranged.