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A toothache is one of the most common reasons people visit the dentist. It can range from mild discomfort to severe, throbbing pain that affects eating, sleeping, and daily life. While tooth pain is often caused by dental problems, it can sometimes be referred from other areas.

The most frequent causes include:

• Dental cavities (the most common cause)
• Dental abscess or infection
• Cracked or fractured tooth
• Damaged fillings or crowns
• Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching)
• Gum disease or infected gums
• Exposed tooth roots due to gum recession

Non-dental causes include: neurovascular origin in conjunction with a migraine. Local and distant structures such as the jawbones and gums can also refer pain to the teeth.

Common symptoms include:

• Sharp, throbbing, or constant pain
• Pain that worsens with hot, cold, or sweet foods/drinks
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Swelling in the gums or face
• Headache or fever (in cases of infection)
• Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath

While waiting to see a dentist, you can try the following:

• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek (no more than 15 minutes at a time)
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (follow dosage instructions)
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
• Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks
• Keep the area clean, but brush gently

Important: These measures only provide temporary relief. A toothache rarely goes away on its own and often gets worse without proper treatment.

You should seek dental care as soon as possible if:

• The pain lasts more than 24–48 hours
• The pain is severe or not relieved by medication
• You have swelling in your face or jaw
• You have a fever
• You experience pain when biting down
• There is pus, bad taste, or swelling in the gums

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Common solutions include:

• Cavities: Tooth-colored fillings or, in advanced cases, root canal treatment
• Infected nerve: Root canal therapy (endodontics)
• Abscess: Drainage and root canal or extraction
• Cracked tooth: Crown, bonding, or extraction depending on severity
• Bruxism: Custom night guard + treatment of the cause

At Smiles Peru, we will determine a diagnosis using digital X-rays and 3D imaging when needed to provide the most effective and comfortable treatment.

Smiles Peru Dental Treatment Area