Health Resources

Toothache

Main Symptoms

• Pain or discomfort in a tooth
• Main Cause: Tooth decay
• Other Common Causes: Food wedged between the teeth or injured tooth

See More Appropriate Topic

• If follows a tooth injury, see TRAUMA, TOOTH 

Call Your Dentist or Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Fever is present
• Face is swollen
• Severe pain

Call Your Dentist Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Toothache present > 24 hours
• Brown cavity visible in the painful tooth
• Red or yellow lump present at the gumline of the painful tooth

Call Your Dentist During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home

• Mild toothache present < 24 hours and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for Mild Toothache

1. Reassurance: Most toothaches are temporary and due to a sensitive tooth. If the pain becomes worse or doesn't resolve in 24 hours, it could due to a small cavity.
2. Floss: Floss on either side of the painful tooth to remove any wedged food.
3. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.
4. Local Cold: Apply an ice pack to the painful jaw for 20 minutes
5. Expected Course: Most minor causes of toothache resolve in less than a day.
6. Call Your Doctor If
   • Toothache persists > 24 hours
   • The toothache becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Dentist” symptoms

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