What Helps Relieve Toothache? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Written by

Gülay Akay

Published on

16.06.2025

Context of Article

Dental Prosthetics

Article Sections

Toothache is defined as pain that arises in and around the teeth. Almost everyone encounters this at some point, yet many people do not take action as long as the pain does not worsen. Toothache is a serious health issue that should not be overlooked. Before asking “What helps toothache?”, the cause of the pain must be understood, because sometimes home remedies alone are not sufficient.

In this content, we will explore the causes of toothache and seek answers to the question “What helps toothache?”.

Causes of Toothache

The main substance of the tooth, called the pulp, consists of nerves and tissues. Pulp is one of the most sensitive nerves in the body, and when bacteria invade it, toothache occurs. There are many causes of toothache, but the most common is cavities. Cavities generally arise from insufficient oral hygiene. When bacteria settle in the mouth, over time the enamel weakens and cavities form. The primary causes of toothache are:

Diseases of the gums
Wear on the tooth enamel
Cavities and abscesses
Impacted teeth
Sinusitis
Habit of clenching or grinding teeth
Cracked or broken teeth
Faulty fillings
Tooth eruption
Eruption of wisdom teeth
Orthodontic braces

So, what helps toothache? You can find answers in this content.

Causes of Toothache in Babies

Especially during teething phases, babies often experience toothache. This kind of pain lasts for a few days. During teething in babies, the following issues may occur:

Excessive drooling
Swelling of the gums
Irritability
Sleep disturbances
Reduced suction interest and desire to bite on any object
Decreased appetite
Symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea
High fever

What Helps Toothache in Babies?

What helps relieve toothache in babies? The most effective solution for relieving a baby’s toothache is to visit a pediatric dentist and go for regular check-ups. During severe toothache episodes accompanied by high fever or similar issues, you should use the medications and syrups recommended by your doctor. In addition, you can apply a cold compress to your baby’s gums to help alleviate discomfort.

Causes of Toothache in Children

Toothache in children arises similarly to adults, most often due to decayed teeth. A decayed tooth may break and form an abscess, causing pain. The sugary products frequently consumed by children activate bacteria in the mouth, damaging the teeth. Bacteria are the primary drivers of tooth decay. Symptoms of toothache in children include:

Recurring throbbing toothache
Pain that intensifies when touching the tooth
Worsening pain when consuming hot or cold foods
Jaw pain and tenderness
High fever
Fatigue and weakness

What Helps Toothache in Children?

Children’s poor oral hygiene and irregular dental care lead to cavities and consequently toothache. Therefore, it’s crucial to teach your child proper oral hygiene habits. In addition, taking them to regular dental check-ups is very important for their dental health.

Symptoms of Toothache

Toothache often begins at night because blood pressure shifts when lying down, intensifying the pain. In such cases, you should not wait and visit the dentist immediately.

You may feel throbbing or persistent toothache. In some people, toothache only appears when biting into a hard food. Decayed teeth often appear as brown or white spots.

The first sign of a cavity typically appears when consuming sugary, very cold, or very hot foods. Toothache can be mild or severe and may start suddenly. At night, it becomes much more intense. Previously filled teeth whose fillings have fallen out, as well as broken teeth, also cause toothache. It can be difficult to determine whether the pain originates from upper or lower teeth. If it is from lower teeth, the pain may refer to the ear. If it is from upper teeth, you might feel the pain in the sinuses or cheekbones.

In addition to toothache, the following complaints may occur:

Swelling in the mouth or face
Bleeding gums
Sensitivity to very cold or hot stimuli
Pain that lessens somewhat with cold or heat
Difficulty opening the mouth
High fever
Severe headache

So, what helps toothache? How can we relieve these symptoms?

What Helps Throbbing Toothache?

If you wonder “what helps throbbing toothache?”, first you need to see a dentist, because especially with throbbing pain, home remedies alone are often insufficient.

Pain from gum irritation tends to subside within a few days. During this period, avoid chewing with the aching tooth. If possible, consume soft foods such as yogurt or eggs. Stay away from very hot or cold foods that might trigger sensitivity. Smoking is a major aggravator of toothache.

To reduce pain, avoid products like alcohol or cologne—they can irritate the gum further and even cause a burn-like sensation. In such cases, see a dentist as soon as possible.

To prevent the cavities that cause toothache, maintain regular and proper brushing and use dental floss daily.

What Helps Toothache?

The most effective treatment is to visit a dentist. However, it is important first to identify the source of the pain. The dentist will examine you, determine the cause of the pain, and create an appropriate treatment plan. A dental X-ray may be requested.

If the cause of toothache is a cavity, a filling is applied. If there is an infection in the tooth nerve, root canal treatment may be needed, because bacteria in the root can cause infection.

If the pain has caused high fever and swelling in the jaw, antibiotic therapy may be initiated. If necessary, after gum treatment, a professional dental cleaning is performed. Treatment should not be delayed, because if infections progress, they can lead to life-threatening complications.