If you're experiencing severe toothache, it's time to seek professional dental treatment. If the pain is excruciating and accompanied by fever and chills, you have a dental emergency and should call a dentist or go to the nearest emergency room right away. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to your cheek for the first 24 to 36 hours. This can help ease pain, especially if you've broken or loosened a tooth.
Swelling can also indicate an abscess, which is a sac of pus and dirt deep in the roots of the tooth and can cause a serious infection in the jaw and other teeth. Signs of an abscess include fever and red gums. If your toothache lasts longer than two days, it's important to see a dentist. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to ease the pain. Don't go to your family doctor as they won't be able to provide dental treatment.
Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (children under 16 should not take aspirin) and avoid sweet, very hot, or very cold foods. Smoking should also be avoided as it can worsen some dental problems. Toothache occurs when the innermost layer of the tooth (dental pulp) becomes inflamed. The pulp is made up of sensitive nerves and blood vessels.
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