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What is causing my toothache?
Tick how your tooth feels and see the most likely causes, how urgent each one is, and what helps.
Your symptoms tell a story
Dentists start every toothache visit with the same questions: what sets the pain off, how long it lasts, and whether there is any swelling. The pattern of answers points to the cause long before the X-ray confirms it.
The checker below uses those same patterns. Tick everything that matches how you feel. You can tick more than one box.
Common causes of toothache
Sensitivity and early decay. A short, sharp twinge with cold or sweet food usually means enamel is worn, a gum has receded, or a small cavity has started. It often responds to sensitive toothpaste and a small filling.
Inflamed nerve (pulpitis). Pain that lingers after hot or cold, or throbs on its own, means decay or a crack has reached close to the nerve. Treated early, a filling may be enough; later, root canal treatment can save the tooth.
Cracked tooth. Sharp pain when you bite, especially when you release the bite, is typical of a crack.
Abscess. Swelling, a gum pimple, a bad taste or pain on touching the tooth point to infection. This needs treatment soon.
Wisdom teeth and sinuses. Pain at the very back of the jaw is often a wisdom tooth. Pain in several upper back teeth during a cold is often sinus pressure.
Toothache questions
What can I do for toothache at home?
Why is my toothache worse at night?
Can a toothache go away on its own?
How quickly should I see a dentist?
Let us find the cause
The consultation and X-ray are free, and you get the cost in writing before any treatment.
About our clinic
Written by the dental team at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic, a family clinic on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, Sharjah, seeing patients since 1998, and medically reviewed by Dr Ranjeet Kumar, Medical Director (BDS, Diploma in Endodontics), October 2026. This is general information, not a diagnosis. If something feels wrong, come in and let us look.