I don’t think we’ve met anyone who can ignore a throbbing toothache for a long time. There comes a point where painkillers stop working and the pain is continuous, incessant and debilitating. We often hear female patients say that child birth was less painful.
What causes it?
There are many dental issues that can cause a throbbing toothache, but the most common are:
- Dental cavities
- Dental abscess
- Root canal infection
- Irreversible pulpitis
- Trauma
- Acute sinusitis

What to do for your toothache?
There are very few things that you can try, and if over the counter painkillers have stopped helping, it is time to see a 24 hour dentist. You could try the internet suggestions including use black tea, garlic, coconut oil, but in our experience if there is any relief it is very short lived and is not a substitute for ignoring the underlying cause. It’s throbbing for a reason!
Treatment will really be dependent upon the cause.
Your dentist may :
- Prescribe antibiotics
- Clean any cavities and place a sedative dressing
- Start root canal treatment
- Prescribe pain medication
- Tooth extraction
Ultimately, seeking professional help at the emergency dental service closest to you will help assess the cause and possible treatment options.