Toothache pain strikes nearly everyone at some point in their lives, causing mild to severe discomfort. While mild toothache pain probably won't interrupt your usual activities, a major toothache is so painful that it can be hard to concentrate on anything else. If you experience severe toothache pain, call your dentist as soon as possible, as a major toothache can pose a serious health risk if untreated.
Causes
Dental cavities frequently cause toothache pain. Cavities occur when food and bacteria form acids that break down the outer layer of a tooth and penetrate the softer inner pulp, resulting in decay. Although you may notice no symptoms of decay when the cavity is small, as the decayed area expands, pain may occur. Earaches and sinus infections can cause significant pain in your teeth, even though there is no decay present.
Other possible causes of major tooth pain include mouth or jaw injuries and abscessed teeth. A tooth abscess occurs when pus forms in the center of a tooth due to a bacterial infection. A toothache can also be a sign of a heart attack or temporomandibular joint disorder, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry.
Symptoms
Major toothaches may cause constant, throbbing pain. Pain when biting or chewing may occur, particularly if a tooth is cracked or contains a large cavity. Drinking hot or cold beverages may result in severe pain. Fever and swelling of the face may occur if the gum surrounding the tooth is infected or inflamed. In some cases, you may notice that it is difficult to open your mouth completely.
Diagnosis
Finding the cause of a major toothache requires a dental exam and an X-ray of the affected tooth. Your dentist will also ask you questions about the type, severity and location of the pain and may test your sensitivity to heat and cold. If the dentist cannot find the source of your pain, he may refer you to a medical doctor.
Treatment
Treatment for cavities involves removing the decayed area with a dental drill and replacing it with filler material. The tooth may be sensitive for a day or two after it has been filled. If your toothache is caused by an abscess, you will be given antibiotics and can choose to undergo a root canal procedure or have the tooth pulled. During a root canal, the diseased pulp at the center of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling. A porcelain crown is placed over the tooth to strengthen it. If pain occurs due to a sinus infection or earache, treating the conditions that cause the symptoms can usually cause the pain to subside.
Warning
Ignoring a possible tooth abscess can cause life-threatening health complications. If the tooth is left untreated, infection may spread to the jaw bone, soft tissues and other parts of the body, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In some cases, the resulting infection can cause brain abscesses, pneumonia or endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner heart lining.
