Tooth Pain: Common Causes and When to See Your Dentist

Tooth pain has a way of demanding your full attention. Whether it’s a sharp jolt when you bite into something or a dull throb that keeps you awake at night, the discomfort is hard to ignore — and for good reason. Pain is your body’s way of signalling that something needs attention.

Understanding what’s causing it is the first step toward getting the right treatment and finding real relief.

Types of Tooth Pain and What They May Mean

Not all tooth pain feels the same, and the type you’re experiencing can point to the likely cause.

Here’s what different sensations may indicate:

Sharp pain when biting

A sharp pain that occurs when biting or chewing may indicate a cracked tooth or a filling that is slightly high and affecting your bite. Even a small crack can cause significant discomfort, particularly under pressure.

Sensitivity to hot or cold

A brief zing of pain when you sip hot coffee or bite into something cold is commonly linked to exposed dentine or early-stage decay. Dentine is the layer beneath your enamel, and when it’s exposed — whether from worn enamel, a cavity, or receding gums — temperature changes can trigger that familiar sharp sensation.

If the tooth sensitivity persists for more than a few seconds, it may indicate a more serious issue.

Throbbing pain

A persistent, throbbing toothache that pulses with your heartbeat is often a sign of infection or a dental abscess. This type of pain tends to worsen over time and shouldn’t be left without assessment.

Dull ache

A low-grade, constant ache — especially in the morning — is frequently associated with teeth grinding (bruxism). In some cases, a dull ache in your upper back teeth can actually be traced to sinus pressure rather than the tooth itself.

Pain around the gums

Soreness or tenderness along the gum line may indicate gum disease, or something as straightforward as food trapped between the tooth and gum. Either way, it’s worth investigating.

Common Dental Causes of Tooth Pain

Understanding the most frequent sources of tooth pain helps you make sense of what’s happening in your mouth — and why a professional assessment matters.

Tooth decay and cavities

Decay is one of the most common causes of a toothache. Once decay extends beyond the enamel into the deeper part of the tooth, it can trigger anything from mild sensitivity to sharper, more sudden pain, depending on how far it has progressed.

Cracked tooth

Cracked teeth can sometimes be hard to identify, even on dental X-rays. Intermittent pain—especially when chewing or when exposed to hot or cold temperatures—is often a key indicator.

Once a crack forms, it can allow external stimuli to reach the tooth’s inner nerve, resulting in pain or discomfort.

Dental abscess

It is an infection that develops at the base of a tooth or in the nearby gum area, commonly due to untreated decay or trauma. It typically causes severe, throbbing pain and may be accompanied by swelling, bad taste, or fever. Dental abscesses require prompt treatment — the infection won’t resolve on its own.

Gum disease

In more advanced gum disease, the gums may start to recede, exposing the tooth roots and causing increased sensitivity or discomfort when eating or brushing.

Worn enamel

Tooth enamel can wear away due to frequent exposure to acidic foods and drinks, grinding habits, or aggressive brushing. This exposes the dentine underneath, which is more sensitive and prone to discomfort.

Failed or leaking filling

Fillings that are old or compromised may crack, shrink over time, or separate from the tooth structure, creating small gaps where bacteria can enter and cause irritation or decay. This often leads to new decay and pain beneath the existing restoration.

Erupting wisdom teeth

As wisdom teeth push through the gum, they can cause aching, pressure, and localised soreness. In some cases, they become partially impacted, leading to more persistent discomfort and an increased risk of infection in the surrounding tissue.

Non-Dental Causes to Consider

Not every toothache originates in the tooth itself. Dental pain is sometimes referred from nearby areas, which can make it seem like a tooth is the source when the actual cause lies elsewhere.

Sinus infection

Sinus inflammation or infection can sometimes cause referred pain in the upper back teeth due to their proximity to the sinus cavities. If multiple upper teeth seem painful at once, sinusitis may be a factor.

TMJ disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull and plays an important role in chewing and jaw movement. When this joint is under strain — from grinding, clenching, or misalignment — it can produce jaw pain, facial aching, and referred tooth pain.

Ear infection

Pain from an ear infection can sometimes radiate toward the jaw and be mistaken for a toothache, particularly in the back teeth on the same side.

Trigeminal neuralgia

This is a less common but significant cause of facial and tooth pain. The trigeminal nerve runs through the face and jaw, and when it’s irritated, it can produce sudden, electric-shock-like pain that closely resembles dental pain.

If your dentist examines the area and finds no obvious dental cause, it’s worth discussing the possibility of a non-dental origin with your GP.

When to See Your Dentist Urgently

Some situations call for more than a “wait and see” approach. Seek dental care promptly if you experience:

• Pain that has lasted more than one to two days without improvement
• Visible swelling around the tooth, jaw, or face
• Fever alongside dental pain
• Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth
• Pain severe enough to wake you at night
• Trauma to a tooth — whether knocked out, chipped, or displaced

These signs may indicate an active infection or injury that requires timely treatment. Leaving a dental abscess or significant crack untreated can lead to more extensive — and more involved — treatment down the track.

Managing Pain Before Your Appointment

While you’re waiting to see your dentist, a few simple measures can help take the edge off:

What can help:

• Painkillers available over-the-counter, including ibuprofen or paracetamol, should be taken as prescribed.
• A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time
• Warm salt water rinses can soothe irritation and help reduce bacteria in the mouth.
• Avoiding known triggers — hot drinks, cold food, sweet things, or hard foods
• Keeping your head elevated when lying down to reduce pressure and throbbing

What to avoid:

• Direct application of aspirin to the gums or teeth may result in a chemical burn to the tissue.
• Applying heat to the outside of the face can worsen swelling if an infection is present
• Attempting to probe or pick at the painful tooth
• Ignoring the pain in the hope it will pass on its own

These measures manage discomfort — they don’t treat the underlying cause. A dental appointment is still necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a toothache go away on its own?

Minor sensitivity from a piece of trapped food or mild irritation can sometimes settle. However, if the pain is caused by decay, a crack, or an infection, it won’t resolve without treatment. The underlying problem typically worsens over time, even if the pain temporarily eases.

What if tooth pain comes and goes?

Intermittent pain shouldn’t be dismissed. A cracked tooth, for example, often causes pain that appears with certain movements or temperatures and disappears again. Coming and going doesn’t mean it’s minor — it means it needs to be assessed before it progresses.

Is throbbing tooth pain serious?

Yes. Throbbing, rhythmic pain is commonly associated with infection. If it’s accompanied by swelling or fever, treat it as urgent and seek care promptly.

Should I go to the emergency room or see a dentist?

For most dental pain, a dentist is the appropriate first point of contact — they have the tools and training to diagnose and treat the source of the problem. If you have significant facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, go to the emergency department, as these may indicate a spreading infection that requires medical management.

Tooth Pain Treatment in Campbelltown

If you’re dealing with a toothache — whether it’s a dull ache that won’t quit or a sharp pain that’s affecting your daily life — we’re here to help you get to the bottom of it.

At Marketfair Dental Care, we see patients from Campbelltown and the surrounding areas, including Rosemeadow, Ambarvale, Glen Alpine, and Narellan. Whether you’ve been putting off a visit or the pain has come on suddenly, our team can assess what’s going on and work through your options with you.

Call us on (02) 4620 0800 or book your appointment online. You’ll find us at Marketfair Campbelltown, Shop 21B, 4 Tindall St, Campbelltown — with convenient parking and easy access from nearby suburbs.

Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. The sooner it’s assessed, the simpler the solution is likely to be.