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Toothache Symptoms

All toothaches are not the same. Several dental and some non dental health conditions may cause toothache symptoms. The type and characteristics of tooth pain symptoms can help identify the cause of toothache. However, always remember that the only person qualified for examining your symptoms and making a successful diagnosis is your dentist.

Toothache Symptoms - Tooth Pain Symptoms Guide

Although one specific tooth pain symptom may be enough in most cases for your dentist to identify the root cause of your toothache, this is not always that easy.

In some cases of referred tooth pain it may be difficult even for a dentist to find which tooth is the source of the pain and what problem is causing it. It is advised that you do not try to make your own diagnosis, but visit your dentist as soon as possible for a dental examination.

Most toothaches are caused by a dental problem related with your teeth and gums, but other health conditions such as heart problems may also cause toothache symptoms. Misdiagnosing the source of a tooth pain may put your overall health and even your life at risk.

Several dental conditions can also lead to serious and possibly life threatening complications. Underestimating a toothache caused by a tooth infection by believing that it will pass and delaying to visit a dentist may allow the infection to spread. The result will be more pain, loss of tooth and need for more expensive treatments.

The following guide should be used only for informational purposes. If you have a toothache, refer to your dentist for proper examination and diagnosis.

Tooth Pain Symptoms and possible Causes

SymptomsPossible causes
  • Temporary sensitivity to hot or cold foods
  • Sharp and short pain
  • No recent dental treatments
  • Early tooth decay
  • Minor crack
  • Loose filling
  • Exposed dentine
  • Tooth erosion
  • Gum recession
  • Temporary sensitivity to hot or cold foods
  • Sharp and short pain
  • After recent dental treatment
  • Temporary pulp inflammation that will pass in a few days
  • Damage to adjacent tooth
  • Temporary sensitivity to hot sweet foods
  • Early tooth decay
  • Exposed dentine
  • Tooth erosion
  • Gum recession
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods
  • No recent dental treatments
  • Deep tooth decay or tooth fracture, that have damaged the pulp requiring root canal
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods
  • After recent dental treatment
  • Permanent pulp damage requiring root canal treatment
  • Failed root canal
  • Sharp tooth pain when biting down
  • Cracked or fractured tooth
  • Deep decay – inflamed pulp
  • Loose restorations
  • Periapical abscess
  • Constant and severe toothache
  • Sensitivity to pressure and touch
  • Inflamed pulp
  • Tooth abscess
  • Pus in the mouth
  • Gumboil
  • Swelling
  • Periapical abscess
  • Gum abscess
  • Pain when tapping a tooth
  • Inflamed pulp
  • Periapical or gum abscess
  • Dull ache and pressure in upper back teeth
  • Bruxism
  • Sinus infection
  • Ear infection
  • Dull ache in several teeth (possibly in both jaws)
  • Bruxism
  • TMJ Disorders
  • Spontaneous sharp short tooth pain triggered by simply touching a spot in the mouth or face
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Pain in the back of the mouth
  • Wisdom tooth problems
  • TMJ disorders
  • Pain in loose tooth
  • Periodontal disease
  • Periapical or Gum abscess
  • Tooth pain combined with pain in arm or chest
  • Angina or other heart problem
  • Toothache when waking up
  • Bruxism – Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Toothache & Fever
  • Tooth abscess
  • Severe tooth infection possibly spread to other tissues
  • Severe toothache that starts 2 days after a tooth extraction
  • Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)
  • Infection

Some symptoms related to a toothache may be common for several dental problems.

Only a dental professional has the knowledge and experience to correctly distinguish the characteristics of a toothache and in combination with the clinical examination can determine the cause of the problem and the proper treatment. What you have to do is to visit your dentist whenever you get a toothache, and not wait to see if it will pass on its own. It will not.

Contact your dentist or an emergency unit immediately if you have a toothache with any of the following symptoms:

  • High fever
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Swelling in the neck or throat area
  • Pain in the chest or arm
  next page ->  ► How to Stop a Toothache


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