Tooth pain is pain that occurs in the tooth or teeth. It is often a dull, throbbing pain and often causes facial swelling and gum swelling.

What causes tooth pain?

Tooth pain is most often the result of a problem such as a cavity or tooth abscess. An abscessed tooth is the painful result of a cavity that has been left untreated. Occasionally tooth pain is referred pain, meaning there is a problem in another part of your body that is resulting in pain of the tooth even though there is no problem with the tooth. Sometimes people who are suffering from heart attacks or angina report tooth pain. Wisdom teeth can become impacted, meaning that there isn’t enough room for them in the mouth and they remain stuck under the gums. When this happens, the pain can be intense.

Should I see a doctor or dentist for tooth pain?

Most of the time a dentist should be seen for any type of tooth pain. If the dentist rules out any dental problems as the cause, a medical doctor should then be consulted. It’s important not to wait too long to see a dentist or doctor for any type of tooth pain because sometimes dental problems can be deadly. Abscessed teeth can actually kill people if left untreated. A dentist is best equipped for dealing with things like cavities, abscesses, gum disease, or wisdom tooth problems. All of these can result in severe tooth pain.

What are treatments for tooth pain?

There are over the counter ointments and numbing gels that you can use to treat tooth pain at home. Ibuprofen is also very useful since it is an anti inflammatory drug. If the tooth pain is severe enough to cause swelling around the mouth and face, a heating pad can help to reduce it. Dentists and doctors can prescribe stronger medicines for dealing with tooth pain. However, the pain will persist if the root of the problem isn’t taken care of. Cavities should be filled and abscessed teeth or wisdom teeth causing pain should be pulled. Otherwise, the pain will most likely continue.