A dentist can diagnose the cause and often start treatment the same day. Ask for an emergency exam if the pain is constant or you cannot bite on the tooth.
Find an emergency dentist →Emergency guide
A toothache that will not stop. What now?
Most toothache has a cause a dentist can find: decay, a cracked tooth, an exposed root or an infection starting. Painkillers buy comfort, not time — a toothache lasting more than two days needs a dentist.
See a dentist within 24–48 hours
Step by step
Do this now
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Floss around the tooth
Trapped food is the most common cause of sudden, sharp pain. Floss gently and rinse with warm salt water.
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Take an anti-inflammatory painkiller
Ibuprofen works better than paracetamol for dental pain, if it is safe for you. Follow the label and do not exceed the daily dose.
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Use a cold compress on the outside of your face
Fifteen minutes on, fifteen off. Cold reduces swelling; heat makes an infection spread faster.
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Sleep with your head raised
Blood pooling in the jaw makes throbbing worse at night. An extra pillow helps more than people expect.
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Call a dentist and describe the pain
Constant throbbing that wakes you, pain when you bite down, or pain that lingers after cold all point to different treatments. Say which one you have.
Avoid
What not to do
- Putting aspirin or a crushed tablet against the gum — it burns the tissue
- Applying heat to a swollen face
- Taking leftover antibiotics without a prescription
- Ignoring pain that wakes you at night; that usually means the nerve is involved
- Waiting for a swelling to appear before calling
Where to go
Dentist or emergency room?
Go to an emergency room if your face or jaw is swelling, you have a fever, or you have trouble swallowing or opening your mouth. Those are signs of a spreading infection.
What it costs
Treatment and price ranges
National benchmarks adjusted for Wisconsin, not quotes from a specific clinic. Ask for a written estimate before treatment starts.
Near you
Emergency dentists by city
Each city page lists verified dentists with phone numbers and hours, with the clinics that list emergency care shown first. Call before you travel — hours change.
Severe toothache — questions people ask
How long can a toothache wait?
Sharp pain to hot or cold that settles quickly can usually wait a few days. Constant throbbing, pain that wakes you, or pain when biting needs to be seen within 24–48 hours.
Why does it hurt more at night?
Lying down raises blood pressure in the jaw and fluid shifts towards the head, which increases pressure inside an inflamed tooth. Sleeping propped up helps.
Will antibiotics fix it?
No. Antibiotics reduce the spread of infection but do not remove the dead or infected pulp inside the tooth. The tooth still needs a root canal or extraction.
Is clove oil safe?
Diluted clove oil on a cotton bud can numb a tooth for a short while. It is a temporary measure, and neat oil can burn the gum — never swallow it.
Can I just have the tooth out?
Sometimes that is the sensible choice, especially for a wisdom tooth or a heavily broken molar. Ask what replacing it would cost before you decide — a gap shifts neighbouring teeth.