A severe toothache will stop you in your tracks. It can start as a small twinge and suddenly turn into a deep, throbbing ache that keeps you from eating, working, or even sleeping. This kind of pain isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s your body’s way of telling you that something is seriously wrong inside your tooth or gums.
If you’re dealing with a Severe Toothache in or near Westerville, OH, getting prompt care is critical. The sooner a dentist identifies the cause, the greater the chance of saving the tooth, stopping the infection, and preventing the pain from spiraling out of control.
Ouray Dental – General, Implants & Dentures, located at 6742 Cleveland Ave Ste. A, Columbus, OH 43231, offers emergency visits to help patients get out of pain quickly and back to normal life.
Tooth pain becomes an emergency when it’s intense, persistent, or accompanied by other warning signs like swelling or fever. Unlike simple sensitivity to cold air or ice water, a true toothache often comes from inflammation or infection in the pulp — the soft tissue inside the tooth that carries blood vessels and nerves.
When bacteria reach this pulp through deep decay, cracks, failing fillings, or trauma, pressure builds within the tooth. That pressure has nowhere to go, so it presses on the nerve, leading to the pounding, relentless pain that keeps you up at night. Left untreated, the infection can move beyond the tooth into the jawbone, gums, and even the bloodstream.
In short: if your toothache is bad enough that you’re thinking about it constantly — or relying on painkillers to function — it has already crossed the line into “don’t wait” territory.
There are many different paths that lead to the same miserable outcome: a tooth that hurts so badly it’s hard to think about anything else. Some of the most frequent causes include:
Other possible culprits include advanced gum disease, abscesses, impacted wisdom teeth, trauma to the tooth, or old fillings and crowns that have broken down over time.
Regardless of the exact cause, one rule always holds: pain this strong isn’t going to resolve on its own. It needs a proper diagnosis and the right treatment plan.
Not every toothache requires a same-day visit, but certain symptoms are red flags that tell you to get help now rather than later. If you notice any of the following with your tooth pain, it’s time to treat it as an emergency:
These signs strongly suggest infection or significant nerve involvement — both situations that can worsen quickly if they’re not treated.
While home care can’t fix the underlying problem, it can help you stay more comfortable until you get to the office. If you’re waiting for your emergency appointment, you can:
Use a warm saltwater rinse several times a day to help reduce surface bacteria and calm irritated gums. A cold compress applied to the cheek in short intervals can help ease swelling and dull the pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, taken as directed, may lessen inflammation and take the edge off the discomfort.
It’s also wise to avoid chewing on the side of the sore tooth, stay away from very hot or very cold foods, and skip anything hard or sticky that might aggravate the area.
What you should not do is just as important: don’t put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, don’t try to “drain” anything yourself, and don’t rely on home remedies as a substitute for professional care.
When you come in with a severe toothache, the first goal is to identify exactly what’s going on — not just mask the pain. The dentist will talk through your symptoms, examine the tooth and surrounding gums, and often take digital X-rays to see what’s happening below the surface.
Those images can reveal deep cavities, fractures, infections at the root tip, bone loss from gum disease, or other structural problems that simply aren’t visible to the naked eye. Once the source is clear, your dentist can walk you through the options to relieve pain and save the tooth whenever possible.
The right treatment depends on what’s causing the pain and how far the problem has progressed. In some cases, a deep cavity can be cleaned out and sealed with a filling. If the damage has reached the nerve, a root canal may be needed to remove infected tissue, disinfect the canals, and seal the tooth from the inside before protecting it with a crown.
When fractures or decay are too extensive and the tooth cannot be saved safely, extraction may be the best option — especially if leaving the tooth in place would allow infection to spread. For gum-related causes, deep cleanings and periodontal therapy can remove bacteria and inflammation from the tissues around the tooth.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to help control infection, especially if there is swelling, fever, or an abscess. But they are a short-term partner to treatment, not a cure. The underlying problem still needs to be addressed so the infection doesn’t come roaring back.
It’s tempting to push through the pain and hope it improves, especially if it seems to come and go. But when the nerve inside a tooth is inflamed or infected, waiting almost always makes things worse.
A cavity that could have been treated with a simple filling can reach the nerve and require a root canal. An infected tooth that could have been saved may progress to the point where extraction is the only safe choice. An untreated abscess can lead to significant jawbone damage or, in rare but very serious cases, spread beyond the mouth and become a medical emergency.
Ignoring the problem also tends to increase both the complexity and the cost of treatment. Acting early is better for your health, your comfort, and your wallet.
Once you’ve been through a severe toothache, you’re usually motivated not to repeat the experience. The good news is that most of the problems that cause intense tooth pain are preventable with good habits and regular care.
Daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing to remove plaque between the teeth, and keeping up with routine cleanings let your dental team spot small issues before they explode into emergencies. Wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth, using a sports mouthguard for contact activities, and avoiding chewing on ice or hard objects also help protect your enamel from damage.
Pair those steps with a balanced, low-sugar diet and you dramatically reduce the chances of waking up one day with that unforgettable throbbing pain.
If you’re suffering from a Severe Toothache in Westerville or the surrounding area, you don’t have to manage the pain alone or guess what’s wrong. Ouray Dental – General, Implants & Dentures, located at 6742 Cleveland Ave Ste. A, Columbus, OH 43231, provides emergency appointments to diagnose the problem quickly and relieve your pain with compassionate, targeted care.
The team focuses on both immediate comfort and long-term solutions, so you leave not only feeling better, but with a clear plan to protect your smile moving forward.
If your tooth pain is intense, constant, or getting worse instead of better, call Ouray Dental today at (614) 739-8707 to schedule an emergency evaluation. Fast action can stop the pain, save the tooth, and prevent a serious infection from taking hold.