Toothache: 6 main causes (and what to do)

Toothache can occur due to cavities, broken or cracked teeth and dental malocclusion, but it can also indicate diseases such as sinusitis, migraines and even the emergence of abscesses.

Depending on the cause, toothache may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods, difficulty chewing, nausea, vomiting or fever.

In case of toothache, especially if other symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a dentist or general practitioner to identify the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

Main causes of toothache

The main causes of toothache are:

1. Cavities

Cavities are the main cause of tooth pain, and are caused by bacteria that accumulate in the teeth and cause them to wear out.

It is common to experience toothache, be more sensitive to cold or hot foods and develop perforations when cavities are not treated. See how to identify cavities.

What to do: It is recommended to consult a dentist to treat the cavity, which involves removing it, removing the affected parts of the tooth and restoring the area. Furthermore, in more serious cases, root canal treatment or even removal of the teeth involved may be recommended.

2. Broken or cracked teeth

Broken or cracked teeth can appear due to blows or after chewing very hard foods, for example, causing toothache and other symptoms such as difficulty chewing and greater sensitivity to cold foods.

What to do: It is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to confirm the cause and repair the affected teeth. Additionally, the doctor may recommend the use of painkillers for a few days. See how broken teeth are treated.

3. Dental malocclusion

Dental malocclusion is when the teeth are misaligned, causing toothache, discomfort when chewing and tooth wear. Understand better what dental malocclusion is and how to identify it.

What to do: It is important to consult a dentist to confirm whether there is a malocclusion. Treatment usually involves the use of orthodontic appliances and toothache tends to improve when the alignment of the teeth is corrected.

4. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the sinuses, which can cause pain that is similar to toothache.

In this case, the pain mainly affects the upper teeth (maxillary region) and may be associated with other symptoms such as fever, cough and phlegm in the throat. Understand better what sinusitis is.

What to do: When toothache is caused by sinusitis, it tends to improve with treatment of the infection. Therefore, it is important to consult a general practitioner or otorhinolaryngologist to confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, which normally involves the use of antibiotics.

5. Migraine

A migraine is a type of headache that can sometimes cause pain similar to a toothache.

Typically, the pain is throbbing and affects only one side of the head, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. See how to identify migraine symptoms.

What to do: Measures such as drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding fasting are recommended because they help prevent pain from arising and worsening. Furthermore, it is important to consult a neurologist to confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, which also involves the use of medications such as analgesics and anticonvulsants.

6. Tooth abscess

A dental abscess is a cavity containing pus, which can form near the teeth due to cavities, blows or inadequate mouth hygiene, for example, causing toothache. In addition to causing a toothache, the abscess can also cause other symptoms such as redness of the face, difficulty chewing and fever.

What to do: If a tooth abscess is suspected, it is recommended to seek emergency care for an evaluation. When the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment may involve draining the abscess through surgery, medications such as antibiotics and painkillers and, in some cases, removal of the affected teeth. Understand how abscess is treated.