Toothache: what to do and when to see a dentist
A toothache is your body's signal that something needs attention, such as a cavity, a cracked tooth or an infection. This guide explains what you can safely do at home, which signs need urgent care, and what happens when you visit us at Gentle Touch Dental Clinic.
What you can do at home
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water).
- Floss gently around the tooth to remove any food stuck between the teeth.
- Hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek for 15 minutes at a time if there is swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever exactly as directed on the pack or by your pharmacist, if it is safe for you.
- Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, very cold or sweet food and drinks.
- Keep your head raised on an extra pillow at night.
What to avoid
- Do not place a tablet directly on the gum or tooth. It can burn the gum.
- Do not apply heat to your face if there is swelling.
- Do not take leftover or borrowed antibiotics.
- Do not ignore pain that keeps returning, even if it eases for a while.
Common causes of toothache
The same kind of pain can have different causes, which is why an examination matters.
- A cavity (tooth decay) reaching the inner layers of the tooth
- Inflamed or infected pulp (the nerve inside the tooth)
- A cracked or broken tooth, or a broken filling
- Gum infection or food trapped under the gum
- A wisdom tooth coming through (see wisdom tooth pain)
- Sensitive teeth from worn enamel or receding gums (see our tooth sensitivity guide)
- A tooth that already had a root canal becoming troublesome again
- Sinus congestion, which can make upper back teeth ache
Warning signs: see a dentist urgently
- Swelling of the face, jaw or gum, especially if it is spreading
- Fever or feeling unwell along with tooth pain
- Pus, a bad taste or a small boil on the gum
- Severe pain that does not ease with pain relievers, or pain lasting more than a day or two
- A tooth that has been knocked out, broken or loosened in an accident
- Difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing or breathing (go to a hospital emergency department immediately)
Tooth knocked out? Hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or clean water. Keep it in milk or inside your cheek and see a dentist as soon as possible, ideally within an hour.
What happens at the clinic
The aim is to find the cause of the pain, relieve it and explain your options clearly before any treatment.
Listening to your symptoms
The dentist asks when the pain started, what triggers it and about your general health and medicines.
Examination
The teeth and gums are checked, and simple tests show which tooth is the source and how it reacts to cold or pressure.
X-ray
An X-ray, if needed, shows decay, infection around the root, cracks or a wisdom tooth that cannot be seen by eye.
Explaining your options
Depending on the cause, this may be a filling, root canal treatment, gum treatment or, when a tooth cannot be saved, an extraction. The fee is explained before treatment begins.
Relief and follow-up
Where possible, treatment to relieve the pain is started at the same visit, with clear aftercare advice and a plan for any further visits.
Pain in a tooth that already had a root canal? Dr S. Barath Kumar (MDS Endodontics) treats complex and previously failed root canal cases under the dental microscope. Read failed root canal? What retreatment involves.
Sunday: closed; emergency appointments on call. Phone +91 98840 15026.
Common questions
Can I wait for a toothache to go away on its own?
Pain can come and go, but the cause, such as a cavity or infection, usually stays and can get worse. If the pain lasts more than a day or two, keeps coming back or wakes you at night, please get the tooth checked.
Will antibiotics cure my toothache?
Antibiotics may be advised when there is spreading infection, but on their own they usually do not fix the cause inside the tooth. The tooth normally still needs treatment, such as a filling, root canal or extraction. Take antibiotics only when a dentist or doctor prescribes them.
Does every toothache mean I need a root canal?
No. A toothache can come from a cavity, a cracked tooth, a gum problem, sensitive teeth, a wisdom tooth or even a blocked sinus. Many problems can be treated with a filling or gum care. The exam and X-ray show what the tooth needs.
Can I see a dentist on Sunday for a toothache?
The clinic is closed on Sundays, but emergency appointments are available on call. Please phone +91 98840 15026 to arrange one.
Why is my toothache worse at night?
When you lie down, more blood flows to the head, which can increase pressure in an inflamed tooth. There are also fewer distractions. Keeping your head raised on an extra pillow can help until you see a dentist.
How much does a toothache check-up cost?
The consultation is ₹500, and an X-ray, if needed, is ₹500. The exact fee for any treatment is confirmed after the examination and explained before treatment begins. See our treatment costs page.
Have a toothache?
Message Dr S. Barath Kumar on WhatsApp or call the clinic. For a Sunday emergency, please call.
Gentle Touch Dental Clinic · U 74, New No 58, 5th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600040 (near Tower Park). Monday–Saturday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Sunday: closed; emergency appointments on call at +91 98840 15026. Get directions.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis. Please see a dentist for advice about your own teeth.
More dental care guides
Endodontics
Root canal treatment, microscopic RCT and retreatment of failed root canals.
Read the guide →Root canal: what to expect
Each step of root canal treatment, number of visits, crown and aftercare.
Read the guide →Oral surgery
An overview of minor oral surgery, with clear aftercare tips.
Read the guide →Crowns, bridges & dentures
Crowns, bridges and dentures for broken or missing teeth.
Read the guide →Periodontics (gums)
Bleeding gums, gum disease, scaling and deep cleaning.
Read the guide →Preventive dentistry
Check-ups, professional cleaning and everyday home care.
Read the guide →Children's dentistry
Children's teeth, first visits, fluoride and sealants.
Read the guide →Treatment costs
Approximate prices for consultation, cleaning, root canal, crowns, implants and braces.
See the costs →