Can a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

A toothache creates a very particular and annoying pain. It can be a nagging ache or a sharp pain, and the causes of a toothache can be so varied. From a piece of food stuck in your gum, to a broken tooth, to an infection: all of these things can cause a toothache. Most times, the cause of a toothache will require a visit to the dentist. Even though it can appear that toothaches can go away on their own, just because the pain has subsided does not mean the problem has gone away on its own. Ignoring tooth pain can have some serious, long-lasting consequences, which is why seeing a dental professional about your toothache is important for your short and long-term health.

For some people, symptoms of a toothache are mild. For others, the pain might be sharp, constant, or throbbing. Often, the pain is only felt when pressure is applied to a tooth, like when biting down on something. Other symptoms of a toothache include swelling around a tooth, fever or headache, bad-tasting drainage from a tooth, and bad breath caused by an infected tooth. If you are experiencing trouble breathing or swallowing, call a doctor right away.

Possible Causes for a Toothache

As we’ve mentioned above, there can be many causes of tooth pain, and the severity of these causes is also varied. To be sure that you’re not suffering from a simple popcorn kernel stuck in your gums, make sure you’re flossing daily, and you’re brushing twice daily to remove any food debris. If you’re confident that your toothache isn’t coming from food, it’s probably time to go to a dentist to see if you’re suffering from any of the following:

• A damaged filling
• Infected gums
• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Tooth fracture
• Abscessed tooth
• Tooth decay
• Eruption or removal of a tooth

How to Relieve Pain at Home

If you’re waiting to see a dentist, and you just have to get some relief, there are a few home remedies that could help relieve your toothache. These are only temporary and won’t fix any underlying issues. 

• Saltwater Rinse – Saltwater can act as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory solution. The solution also helps remove plaque and debris from your teeth. To make a saltwater rinse, stir ½ to ¾ tsp salt into a warm glass of water. Swish the solution in your mouth for up to 30 seconds. Spit out the solution.
• Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide- Similarly to a saltwater rinse, hydrogen peroxide can help reduce inflammation and pain. Simply dilute the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water, swish around in your mouth, and rinse thoroughly. Do not swallow this solution!
• Cold Compress- Make a cold compress of ice or a frozen towel and hold on the painful area for 15 minutes at a time. Repeat every few hours as necessary.
• Over-the-Counter Pain Medication– Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, like Tylenol, can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation. Do not give aspirin to children under 16.

Going to the Dentist for a Toothache

Even though pain may come and go, and even be tolerable, it’s best to go to the dentist to confirm the cause of your toothache. When you go to the dentist, make sure you’re aware of and able to communicate where the pain is located, how long it’s been going on, and if any treatments relieve or make the pain worse.

 See your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Swelling of the mouth or face
• Fever, earache, or pain when you open your mouth wide
• Severe toothache pain
• A toothache that has lasted longer than two days

Toothaches are not life-threatening, but because infection is one of the reasons for a toothache, an untreated infection could spread or get worse, causing additional worsening illness. Proper diagnosis is crucial to avoiding the spread of infection to other parts of the body. And, while toothache pain is inconvenient and uncomfortable, it doesn’t have to go on forever. Your dental professional can help you diagnose and treat whatever pain-causing ailment you have, and you can return to a pain-free life.