Toothache: Causes, Relief & When to See a Dentist

A toothache is pain in or around a tooth, and it can range from a mild, passing annoyance to a sign of a real dental problem that needs treatment. Some toothaches ease on their own within a day or two; others point to something like a cavity, cracked tooth, or infection that won't get better without care. Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry sees toothache patients in San Tan Valley, Gilbert, and Mesa, often the same day.

San Tan Valley (480) 457-1977
Gilbert (480) 963-9900
Mesa (480) 830-3344

Is This a Dental Emergency?

Most toothaches can wait for a same-day or next-day dental appointment. Go to the emergency room right away if your tooth pain comes with:

Swelling below your eye or a knot forming on your jaw
Fever over 101°F
Unbearable pain that doesn’t improve with pain medication
Bleeding that won’t stop with pressure
Difficulty breathing or swallowing

These can be signs that an infection is spreading beyond the tooth, and they need immediate attention rather than a wait-and-see approach. For everything short of these signs, call our office. We can often see toothache patients the same day.

What to Do Right Now for Toothache Relief

These steps may help take the edge off while you wait for your appointment.

Rinse and Manage Pain

Rinse with warm salt water. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water and swish for 30 seconds. This can reduce inflammation and ease pain.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following the package directions.

Cold Compress and Food Choices

Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek near the painful area for about 15–20 minutes at a time.
Avoid chewing on the painful side, and steer clear of very hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks, which can make pain worse.

Worth knowing: These steps can offer real toothache relief for mild pain, but they don’t treat whatever is actually causing it. If pain keeps coming back or doesn’t fully go away, that’s a sign it’s time to be seen rather than a sign to try a stronger home remedy.

What Could Be Causing Your Toothache

Toothaches have a range of possible causes, including:

Cavities and tooth decay—one of the most common causes of tooth pain
A cracked or fractured tooth
A damaged filling or crown
Gum disease
An abscessed tooth—an infection that needs prompt treatment
Teeth grinding or clenching, which can cause aching or soreness over time

Because these have different treatments, a dentist’s exam is really the only way to know for sure which one applies to you. Our Cavities and Tooth Decay, Gum Disease, and Abscessed Tooth pages go into more detail on each of these individually.

Not Always a Tooth Problem

Pain that feels like it’s coming from a tooth doesn’t always start there. Sinus pressure, an ear infection, or jaw tension can all cause pain that radiates into the teeth or jaw, and a toothache itself can sometimes trigger a headache or ear discomfort. If your dentist examines your teeth and doesn’t find a dental cause, that’s useful information—it may point toward a sinus- or jaw-related source worth mentioning to your physician.

What Happens If Left Untreated

A toothache caused by an underlying dental problem doesn’t resolve on its own. The pain may ease and return in waves, but the cause remains until it’s treated. Left unaddressed, issues like cavities or infection tend to progress, which can mean more extensive—and more expensive—treatment later and, in the case of infection, a risk of it spreading further.

What Your Pain Might Be Telling You

The type of pain can offer a clue, though only a dental examination can confirm the cause.

Pain Patterns and Possible Clues

Dull, persistent ache: May suggest a possible infection or teeth grinding.

Sharp, sudden pain: May suggest a cavity or cracked tooth.

Throbbing, severe pain: May suggest an infection that has reached the tooth’s inner pulp.

Sensitivity to hot or cold that fades quickly: May suggest worn enamel or a smaller cavity.

Treatment Options

1. Fillings

Fillings may be used for cavities or minor chips.

2. Crowns

A crown may be recommended for larger cavities or cracks.

3. Root Canal Therapy

If infection has reached the tooth’s inner pulp, root canal therapy can remove the affected tissue and help save the natural tooth.

4. Extraction

If a tooth is too damaged to save, extraction may be necessary.

5. Antibiotics

When prescribed, antibiotics are typically used alongside another treatment rather than as a stand-alone fix. They can help control spreading infection but don’t resolve the underlying cause on their own.

How It's Diagnosed

Finding the source of tooth pain begins with your symptoms and a careful dental examination.

Symptoms and Dental Exam

Your dentist will ask when the pain started, what it feels like, and what makes it better or worse, then examine your teeth, gums, and jaw.

Dental X-Rays

X-rays are often used to check for decay, infection, or damage that isn’t visible during the exam alone.

How We Treat Toothaches

Because toothaches have so many possible causes, treatment starts with an exam to find out exactly what’s going on. From there, we can walk you through whether a filling, crown, root canal, or another treatment makes the most sense. If you’re in significant pain, our Emergency Dental Services team can often see you the same day; for infections that have reached the tooth’s nerve, our Root Canal Therapy page explains what that treatment involves.

Medically Reviewed Information

Medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Roper, DDS. Last updated September 19, 2026.

Dr. Roper is a licensed general dentist who earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from A.T. Still University in Mesa.

This information is for educational purposes and does not replace a professional diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a toothache go away on its own?

Sometimes mild, temporary gum irritation clears up in a day or two. But pain coming from the tooth itself usually means there’s an underlying issue that needs treatment, even if the pain comes and goes.

How long does a toothache last?

It depends entirely on the cause. Minor gum irritation typically resolves within a day or two. Pain from a cavity or infection tends to persist or recur until it’s treated.

Can a toothache cause a headache or ear pain?

Yes, tooth pain can radiate to nearby areas, and the reverse is also true: sinus issues or ear infections can sometimes feel like a toothache. An exam can help sort out where the pain is actually coming from.

Is it safe to take pain medication for a toothache while I wait for my appointment?

Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen are generally fine for short-term use as directed, but they only manage the pain—they don’t treat the cause, so it’s still important to be seen.

When should I go to the ER instead of waiting for a dentist?

If you have facial swelling, a fever over 101°F, unbearable pain that medication doesn’t touch, or trouble breathing or swallowing, see the emergency guidance above.

Neighborhoods We Serve

Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry is proud to welcome patients from San Tan Valley and the surrounding communities, including:

Driving Directions to Our San Tan Valley Dental Office

Coming to Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry for a toothache? Our office is located at 40815 N Ironwood Rd #102, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140. Take N Ironwood Road toward E Ocotillo Road, enter the property, and continue to Suite 102.