Tooth pain is one of the most common reasons people search for a dentist in Islamabad — and one of the most worrying. The good news is that most causes of toothache are treatable, especially when they are looked at early.
Different kinds of tooth pain
Dentists often ask what your pain feels like because it helps narrow down the cause. A brief, sharp twinge with cold usually means something different from a deep throb that keeps you awake.
- Brief twinge with cold or sweet: often sensitivity or early decay
- Lingering pain after hot or cold: may suggest the nerve is inflamed
- Pain when biting: can point to a crack, a high filling or infection at the root
- Throbbing, night-time pain: often inflammation or infection
- Pain at the back of the jaw: frequently a wisdom tooth
7 common causes of toothache
1. Tooth decay
Acid from plaque bacteria slowly dissolves enamel. As decay gets closer to the nerve, sensitivity turns into pain. Small cavities are usually repaired with a filling.
2. Inflamed or infected nerve
When decay or a crack reaches the pulp inside the tooth, the nerve can become inflamed or infected. This is when root canal treatment is often considered.
3. Dental abscess
A pocket of infection at the root or in the gum, often with swelling and throbbing pain. An abscess needs professional treatment.
4. Cracked tooth
Cracks can be almost invisible. A classic sign is a sharp pain when biting, especially when releasing the bite.
5. Gum problems
Inflamed gums, food trapped under the gum or advanced gum disease can cause aching that feels like it comes from a tooth.
6. Sensitivity
Worn enamel or receding gums can expose the dentine, causing short, sharp twinges.
7. Wisdom teeth
A wisdom tooth coming through at an angle can inflame the gum above it and cause pain in the jaw, ear or throat area.
Seek urgent care: If you have facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a high fever or uncontrolled bleeding, seek urgent medical care at a hospital emergency department.
What to do next
Note what triggers the pain and how long it lasts, then book an examination. You don’t need to know the cause — that is the dentist’s job. Our tooth pain guide explains each cause in more detail.