What is the direct answer?
Over-the-counter pain medicine may reduce toothache temporarily, but it does not remove causes such as decay, a cracked tooth, or dental infection.
What does this question mean?
Toothache can arise from exposed dentine, decay reaching the pulp, a crack, gum inflammation, trauma, or an abscess. The cause determines whether treatment involves a filling, crown, root canal treatment, extraction, gum care, or another procedure.
What can you do next?
Check the active ingredient and maximum daily dose, avoid combining products with the same ingredient, and ask a pharmacist about pregnancy, ulcers, kidney disease, liver disease, blood thinners, allergies, or other medicines. Do not put tablets on the gum.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange dental care promptly for pain lasting beyond a short episode, pain on biting, night pain, swelling, fever, a bad taste, or a broken tooth. Facial swelling or trouble swallowing or breathing requires emergency assessment.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask what is causing the pain, which treatment will remove that cause, and which pain medicine is appropriate with your conditions and current medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem have more than one cause?
Toothache can arise from exposed dentine, decay reaching the pulp, a crack, gum inflammation, trauma, or an abscess. The cause determines whether treatment involves a filling, crown, root canal treatment, extraction, gum care, or another procedure.
What should I do while arranging care?
Check the active ingredient and maximum daily dose, avoid combining products with the same ingredient, and ask a pharmacist about pregnancy, ulcers, kidney disease, liver disease, blood thinners, allergies, or other medicines. Do not put tablets on the gum.

