Top 6 Reasons Your Tooth Has Been Hurting You

Not all tooth pain is the same. The type, timing, and triggers of a toothache often point to very different underlying causes—and different treatments. Understanding these patterns helps your dentist identify the problem more quickly and get you relief sooner.

1. Brief Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods

What it usually means
If sensitivity lasts only a few seconds, it is typically not a serious problem. Short-lived sensitivity is often caused by gum recession, a small cavity, exposed root surfaces, or a filling that is beginning to leak.

What helps
Desensitizing toothpaste can significantly reduce symptoms, especially for cold sensitivity. These products require consistent use and may take up to two weeks to reach full effectiveness. If sensitivity persists or worsens, a dental evaluation is recommended to rule out underlying decay or restoration issues.

2. Sensitivity After Dental Treatment

What it usually means
Dental procedures can temporarily irritate the nerve inside a tooth. Sensitivity to hot or cold after treatment is common and often resolves as the tooth settles.

What helps
Give the tooth a few weeks to recover. However, if sensitivity is increasing, lingering, or accompanied by biting pain, your dentist should evaluate the area to ensure the bite and restoration are functioning properly.

3. Pain When Biting or Chewing

What it usually means
Pain with pressure often suggests a crack or fracture in the tooth. It can also indicate inflammation around the root or an early dental abscess. In some cases, the bite may be uneven following recent dental work.

What helps
This type of pain should be evaluated promptly. Depending on the cause, treatment may involve adjusting the bite, placing a crown, or performing root canal therapy to address infection or nerve involvement.

4. Lingering Pain After Hot or Cold Foods

What it usually means
Pain that continues for several seconds or minutes after temperature exposure often indicates that the tooth’s nerve is inflamed or beginning to fail.

What helps
This type of pain frequently requires root canal treatment to remove the damaged nerve and relieve symptoms. Early evaluation can prevent worsening infection and reduce the risk of complications.

5. Constant, Severe Pain with Swelling or Pressure

What it usually means
Severe, unrelenting pain—especially when accompanied by swelling, pressure, or tenderness—often signals a dental infection at the root of the tooth. In many cases, the nerve has already died.

What helps
Dental infections should be treated urgently. Prompt care may involve antibiotics, drainage, root canal therapy, or extraction depending on the severity. Delaying treatment can allow infection to spread and, in rare cases, become medically serious.

6. Dull Ache or Pressure in Upper Teeth on One Side

What it usually means
Sinus infections can closely mimic tooth pain, particularly in the upper back teeth. The maxillary sinuses sit just above these teeth, and sinus inflammation can create pressure that feels dental in origin.

What helps
A dental evaluation can determine whether the pain is coming from the teeth or the sinuses. If dental causes are ruled out, medical treatment for sinus infection—such as decongestants or antibiotics—may be recommended.

When to Schedule an Evaluation

Tooth pain is rarely something to ignore. If discomfort is persistent, worsening, or interfering with daily activities, a professional examination is the best way to identify the cause and determine appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis often means simpler, more comfortable solutions.

Reviewed and updated January 2026