Dental question about observed-topic:tooth-pain

Pain medicine can temporarily reduce toothache, but it does not remove causes such as decay, a cracked tooth, inflamed pulp, or a dental abscess.

Tooth pain can be triggered by decay, a loose filling, a crack, exposed dentin, inflamed pulp, infection near the root, gum disease, or pressure from clenching. A dentist may use questions, percussion, temperature or vitality tests, probing, and dental X-rays to locate the source.

Use only a pain reliever that is appropriate for your health history and follow its label or clinician instructions. Keep food and very cold or hot drinks away from the painful area, rinse gently with water, and never put aspirin directly on the gum.

Seek prompt dental care for pain that persists, wakes you, worsens, follows injury, or comes with swelling, fever, bad taste, or difficulty biting. Breathing or swallowing difficulty, or swelling near the eye or neck, is an emergency.

Ask what structure is causing the pain, whether an X-ray or pulp test is needed, what treatment stops the cause, and which pain medicines fit your conditions and current medicines.