You know the feeling: your tooth is throbbing and it’s hard to concentrate on anything but the pain. This is the story of many people who struggle with toothaches. In order to understand how a toothache can be treated, it’s important to know exactly what causes the pain.
Causes and remedies for toothaches
What causes a toothache?
A toothache can have many causes:1
- Tooth decay
- A damaged filling
- Teeth grinding
Abscessed tooth - Tooth fracture
Infected gums
When to see a dentist for a toothache
Visit your dentist as soon as possible if:2
- Your toothache lasts longer than 1–2 days
- The pain is severe
- You have a fever or earache
- You experience pain when opening your mouth wide
Temporary toothache remedies
If you’re experiencing minor pain, or you need temporary relief until you can make it to the dentist, there are several options:3
- Saltwater mouth rinse
- Hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse
- Cold compress
- Ice pack
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Pain-relieving gels
Permanent toothache solutions
Successful treatment for a toothache can depend on the cause. If it’s caused by a cavity, your dentist may simply fill the cavity. If the cavity is severe and can’t be filled, the tooth may be extracted.4
If the nerve of the tooth has become infected with bacteria, a
Toothaches and headaches
One of the main causes of migraine headaches is an extended toothache. Almost all headaches and toothaches can be linked to one of the largest nerves in the head—the trigeminal nerve. Due to this connection, most toothaches can directly cause headaches.6
Other reactions to toothaches, such as muscle clenching and jaw tightening, can eventually lead to headaches, as well.7 So, while you may feel like you can handle the pain of a normal toothache, you still should seek treatment before it leads to a bigger problem.
Humana can help with toothache treatment
If you need professional treatment for a toothache, Humana can help. We offer a broad range of dental plans with varying levels of coverage, many with affordable monthly premiums. Some of our plans also feature no waiting periods, which means you could get covered in about 5 days. To see plans and prices in your area, check out our Humana
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Source
- “Dental Health and Toothaches,” WebMD, last accessed March 13, 2023,
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/toothaches . - “Dental Health and Toothaches.”
- “Toothache Home Remedies,” WebMD, last accessed March 13, 2023,
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/home-remedies-toothache#1 . - “Dental Health and Toothaches.”
- “Dental Health and Toothaches.”
- “The Possible Link Between Your Headache and Your Toothache,” Verywell Health, last accessed March 13, 2023,
https://www.verywellhealth.com/link-between-toothache-and-headache-4590314 . - “The Possible Link Between Your Headache and Your Toothache.”