Toothache

Is it really your tooth?

Dental pain is usually one-sided, often with pain on chewing or sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food, and it can spread to your head, ear or jaw. An ache in front of your ear with clicking or a locking feeling when you chew may come from the jaw joint: see jaw pain. Sore teeth with a blocked nose and pressure across your cheekbones may point to sinus pain. Sometimes heart pain can feel like toothache, so call Triple Zero (000) if it comes with chest discomfort, breathlessness or sweating (see chest pain).

Pain relief is a bridge, not a fix

Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease the wait but don't treat the cause. A tooth abscess won't go away on its own, and antibiotics alone aren't enough; a dentist or doctor needs to drain it, or fix or remove the tooth. See a dentist as soon as possible if toothache lasts more than 2 days or doesn't ease with pain relief. Get emergency care if there is swelling around your eye or neck, or trouble breathing or speaking. If cost is a barrier, public dental services offer free or low-cost care to eligible people. For advice at any hour, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Sources: healthdirect — Toothache and gum swelling; healthdirect — Tooth abscess; healthdirect — Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction; healthdirect — Headaches; healthdirect — Heart attack