Toothache: causes, safe relief at home and when to see a dentist

Toothache is one of the most common reasons people search for a dentist in Erbil late at night. Pain is a signal — relief at home helps for a few hours, but the cause still needs treatment.

Common causes

• Tooth decay reaching the inner layer or the nerve (see stages of decay).
• A cracked tooth — sharp pain when biting.
• Gum infection or food stuck between teeth.
• A wisdom tooth partly through the gum (read wisdom tooth removal).
• Sensitivity — brief pain with cold or sweet (tooth sensitivity).
• Grinding or sinus pressure, which can feel like toothache.

Safe relief tonight

1. Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to remove trapped food.
2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or paracetamol exactly as the label says, if it is safe for you.
3. Hold a cold pack on the cheek for 15 minutes at a time.
4. Sleep with your head slightly raised.

What to avoid

Do not put aspirin or strong chemicals on the gum — they burn the tissue. Do not use heat on a swollen face. Antibiotics without an examination do not fix the tooth and may only hide the problem.

See a dentist urgently if

the face or jaw is swelling, you have fever, pain wakes you at night, or a tooth was knocked out. If swelling spreads to the eye or neck, or you have trouble swallowing or breathing, go to a hospital emergency department immediately. See dental emergencies in Erbil.

Most toothaches are treated with a filling or root canal in one or two visits. Book the earliest appointment or message us on WhatsApp from the contact page.