A toothache can be dull and achy or sharp and throbbing, and it can take your attention away from work, play and sleep. It may seem like a small inconvenience, but it’s a symptom that tells you something isn’t quite right and you need to find the cause before the problem gets worse.

Toothache: Common Causes and When to See a Dentist

Tooth pain comes from inflammation of the middle part of a tooth (pulpitis). This has nerve endings that are sensitive to pain. The pulp is usually irritated or damaged by dental cavities, injury to the mouth/jaw, gum disease, and sinus infection. Pain can also occur when a tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures, or if food gets stuck in the teeth and puts pressure on them. The most common symptom of a toothache is a constant, throbbing pain.

If you’re experiencing a toothache, over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage it until you can see your dentist for treatment. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water a few times a day helps to flush out debris and reduce inflammation in the area.

Your healthcare provider will do a health history and exam to determine the cause of your toothache. They will probably order dental X-rays to get pictures of your jaw, teeth, and roots. They may also do a dental examination to look for decay, cracks or other problems in and around your teeth. Treatment options for your toothache might include cleaning and filling a cavity, tooth extraction, draining of an abscess or root canal, or other treatments based on the source of the pain.