Toothache
Consult a dentist if you have a toothache for more than two days; there are possible things that you can do to ease the pain while you wait for an appointment.
Toothache causes
The common causes of toothache are:
- Dental abscess
- Tooth decay
- Damaged or cracked tooth
- A broken or loose filling
- An infection
- Braces problems
Toothache preventions
The best possible way to prevent toothache is to keep your gums and teeth healthy. To keep them healthy:
- Have regular dental checkups
- Avoid sugary drinks and foods; only consume them occasionally at mealtimes
- Brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
- Clean your teeth using floss or an interdental brush to remove food every day
How to ease toothache pain?
- Take painkillers like paracetamol (children who are under 16 should not take aspirin)
- Gargle your mouth with salt water (not suitable for children)
- Try using a pain-relieving mouth gel
- Consume soft foods, like scrambled eggs or yogurt, and avoid chewing with the sore tooth
- Don’t eat very hot, cold, or sweet foods
- Quite smoking (it can make dental problems worsen)
Consult a dentist
- If the toothache lasts more than two days
- If the pain doesn’t go away when you take painkillers
- If you have toothache along with high temperature, red gums, bad taste in your mouth, or pains when you take a bite
- If you have swollen cheek or jaw
Seek immediate help:
- If you have a swollen area around your eye or neck
- If you have swelling in your neck or mouth and making it difficult for you to breathe, speak, or swallow
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022