A toothache has a special talent for messing with your sense of time. Ten minutes can feel like an hour, and a single night of throbbing pain can make you wonder if you’ll ever sleep again. If you’re dealing with dental pain right now, you’re probably asking a practical question: how long does a toothache last?
The honest answer is that it depends on what’s causing it—because “toothache” isn’t one condition. It’s a symptom. A toothache can come from a tiny bit of gum irritation that settles down in a day, or from an infection that escalates quickly and won’t improve without treatment. The key is learning the typical timelines and the red flags that mean “don’t wait this out.”
This guide walks through common causes of tooth pain, how long each one usually lasts, what tends to make it better or worse, and when it’s time to get help—especially if you’re searching for urgent toothache relief in Toronto and want to know what’s normal versus what’s risky.
Why toothaches feel so intense (and why timelines vary so much)
Teeth are small, but they’re packed with nerve endings and surrounded by tissues that don’t have much room to swell. When a tooth is irritated—by decay, pressure, inflammation, or infection—the nerves can fire constantly. That’s why tooth pain can feel sharp, deep, and hard to ignore.
Timelines vary because different tissues heal at different speeds, and some problems can’t resolve on their own. For example, mild gum irritation might calm down once you remove the trigger (like food stuck between teeth). But a cracked tooth won’t “heal” the way skin does, and a deep cavity won’t reverse itself without dental treatment.
Another reason timelines are unpredictable: pain isn’t always proportional to the problem. A small cavity can sting like crazy if it hits the right spot, while a larger issue might feel dull until it suddenly flares. That’s why it helps to pair the timeline with other clues—like sensitivity to cold, swelling, or pain when biting.
Quick self-check: what kind of toothache do you have?
Before diving into specific causes, it helps to categorize what you’re feeling. Tooth pain usually falls into a few patterns, and each pattern points toward different timelines.
Short, sharp zings (especially with cold, sweets, or brushing) often suggest exposed dentin, early decay, or a small crack. These can come and go for weeks, but they rarely improve permanently without addressing the source.
Throbbing, lingering pain that sticks around after hot/cold or wakes you up at night is more concerning for pulp inflammation or infection. This tends to worsen over days to weeks rather than disappear.
Pain when biting can indicate a cracked tooth, high filling, or inflammation around the root. This may persist until the bite is adjusted or the tooth is stabilized.
Gum-focused soreness (tenderness, swelling, bleeding) may be gum disease, irritation, or an abscess. Timelines range from a day or two to “won’t go away” depending on the cause.
Typical timelines by cause (what’s normal, what’s not)
Food stuck between teeth: hours to 2 days
Sometimes the “toothache” isn’t the tooth at all—it’s your gum protesting a stubborn popcorn hull, a seed, or a bit of meat fiber wedged between teeth. The pain can feel surprisingly sharp, especially when you bite down or floss near the spot.
In many cases, once the debris is removed, the soreness improves within a few hours. If the gum is inflamed or nicked, you may feel tenderness for 24–48 hours. Warm saltwater rinses and gentle flossing usually help.
If the pain persists beyond two days, or you notice swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, or a bad taste, it may not be simple irritation anymore. That’s a sign to get it checked.
Gum irritation from aggressive flossing or brushing: 1 to 3 days
Gums can get irritated quickly if you snap floss down too hard, use a stiff toothbrush, or brush with too much pressure. The discomfort is often localized and feels sore rather than electric or deep.
Most mild gum irritation settles within a day or two if you switch to gentle technique and keep the area clean. The goal is “clean but calm”: soft brush, light pressure, and flossing carefully without forcing it.
If the gum keeps bleeding or the pain is spreading, it’s worth considering other causes like gingivitis, a lodged fragment, or a developing infection.
Sinus pressure (upper back teeth): a few days to 2 weeks
Upper molars sit close to the sinus cavities, so sinus inflammation can create referred pain that feels like a toothache—often a dull ache or pressure that worsens when you bend forward.
Sinus-related tooth pain often improves as congestion and inflammation resolve, typically within several days. With a lingering sinus infection, it can last one to two weeks (sometimes longer).
Clues that point to sinuses: multiple upper teeth feel sore, you have nasal congestion or facial pressure, and the pain changes with posture. Still, if one tooth is sharply painful or sensitive to temperature, don’t assume it’s “just sinuses.”
Tooth sensitivity (receding gums, enamel wear): weeks to months (and it can come and go)
Sensitivity to cold drinks, sweet foods, or brushing often comes from exposed dentin due to gum recession, enamel thinning, or tiny areas of wear. The pain is usually quick and fades once the trigger is gone.
This kind of toothache can last for weeks or even months because the underlying exposure doesn’t necessarily change. Some people notice flare-ups during stressful periods (clenching/grinding) or after acidic foods and whitening products.
Desensitizing toothpaste, avoiding overly acidic snacks, and addressing grinding can help. But if sensitivity suddenly appears in one tooth and keeps worsening, it may be an early cavity or crack rather than generalized wear.
Early cavity: intermittent for weeks, then progressively worse
In the early stages of tooth decay, pain may be mild or occasional—usually a twinge with sweets, cold, or when food gets trapped. This phase can last weeks or even months, which is why cavities can sneak up on people.
The tricky part is that “intermittent” doesn’t mean “healing.” Decay tends to progress. Over time, the tooth may become more sensitive, and the discomfort may linger longer after cold exposure.
If you catch it early, treatment is simpler and recovery is faster. Waiting until it becomes constant pain often means a deeper problem and a longer timeline to feel normal again.
Deep cavity / inflamed nerve (reversible vs. irreversible pulpitis): days to weeks
When decay gets close to the nerve, the pulp tissue inside the tooth can become inflamed. If the inflammation is mild and the irritant is removed (like treating a cavity), the tooth can calm down—this is often called reversible pulpitis.
With reversible pulpitis, sensitivity may linger for a few seconds after cold, and the tooth may feel “off” for a few days. After treatment, it typically improves within 1–2 weeks, sometimes sooner.
Irreversible pulpitis is different. Pain often lingers for minutes after hot/cold, may throb spontaneously, and can wake you up. This usually doesn’t resolve without root canal treatment or extraction. The pain can intensify over days and may fluctuate, but it rarely disappears for good on its own.
Cracked tooth: variable, often persistent until treated
A crack can cause sharp pain when biting, especially on release (when you stop biting). Some cracks are tiny and hard to spot, and symptoms can come and go depending on what you chew and whether the tooth is under stress from grinding.
Because the tooth structure is compromised, the timeline is unpredictable. You might have a few “good days,” then a sudden flare when you bite something slightly harder than usual. Without treatment (like a crown or other stabilization), cracks tend to worsen over time.
If the crack reaches the nerve, the pain can shift from bite-related to constant throbbing. That’s a sign the situation is escalating and needs prompt care.
Lost filling or broken tooth edge: days to months, but the risk increases the longer you wait
If a filling falls out or a tooth chips, you may feel immediate sensitivity to cold and air. Sometimes it’s mild at first, which makes it tempting to put off treatment.
The discomfort can last indefinitely because the exposed area remains exposed. The bigger issue is that bacteria can get into the tooth more easily, increasing the chance of decay and nerve irritation. That’s when timelines shift from “annoying sensitivity” to “serious toothache.”
Temporary dental repair kits can help reduce sensitivity for a short time, but they’re not a long-term fix. The sooner the tooth is restored, the better the odds of avoiding deeper pain later.
Gum infection / periodontal abscess: days to weeks (rarely resolves fully without treatment)
A periodontal abscess is an infection in the gum tissue, often related to gum disease or a trapped foreign object. It can cause swelling, tenderness, a bad taste, and pain that feels like it’s coming from the tooth.
Symptoms may fluctuate—sometimes it drains a bit and feels better temporarily—but infections commonly return if the underlying pocket isn’t cleaned and treated. That’s why the timeline can stretch into weeks.
Because infection can spread, this is one of those “don’t wait it out” situations, especially if you notice facial swelling, fever, or increasing pain.
Tooth abscess (infection at the root): can escalate quickly; needs professional care
A tooth abscess usually happens when bacteria reach the pulp and infection forms near the root. Pain may start as sensitivity, then turn into persistent throbbing, pressure, swelling, and sometimes pain that radiates to the jaw, ear, or neck.
Timelines here can be fast. Some people go from “mild ache” to “can’t focus” in 24–72 hours. Others have a slower burn over a couple of weeks, with occasional flare-ups. Either way, it’s not something to manage indefinitely with home remedies.
If you’re in the city and searching for urgent toothache relief Toronto, this is exactly the kind of scenario where same-day assessment matters. The goal isn’t just to quiet the pain; it’s to stop the infection and protect the surrounding tissues.
Wisdom tooth pain (eruption or infection): days to weeks
Wisdom teeth can cause soreness as they erupt, especially if there isn’t enough room. You might feel gum tenderness behind the molars, jaw stiffness, and discomfort when chewing.
If it’s simple eruption irritation, symptoms may come in waves over days or weeks. Warm saltwater rinses and careful cleaning can help, but the area is hard to keep plaque-free.
If the gum flap around the wisdom tooth becomes infected (pericoronitis), pain can spike quickly and may come with swelling, bad breath, or difficulty opening your mouth. That usually needs professional treatment to fully settle.
Jaw clenching / grinding (bruxism): weeks to months, with flare-ups
Clenching and grinding can make teeth feel sore, sensitive, or “tired,” especially in the morning. The pain is often diffuse—more than one tooth—and you might also notice jaw muscle tenderness or headaches.
This can last for a long time because it’s driven by habit, stress, and bite forces. Flare-ups commonly happen during stressful periods or when sleep quality drops.
Reducing triggers, using a night guard if recommended, and addressing bite issues can shorten the timeline. If one tooth becomes sharply painful while grinding is happening, it can also indicate a crack that needs evaluation.
How to tell if your toothache is improving or just “taking a break”
Tooth pain can be sneaky. It might fade for a day and then come roaring back, which makes it hard to judge whether you’re actually healing. A useful approach is to track the pattern, not just the intensity in a single moment.
Signs you may be improving: the pain is clearly tied to a trigger (cold, chewing) and the trigger threshold is getting better; the discomfort resolves faster after the trigger; swelling is going down; and you’re needing less pain medication over time.
Signs it’s not really improving: pain is becoming more spontaneous, lingering longer, waking you up, or spreading to the jaw/ear/temple. Also watch for swelling, fever, a bad taste, or a pimple-like bump on the gum—those point toward infection, not simple irritation.
Home strategies that can help while you’re waiting (and what to avoid)
What you can do tonight to get through the worst of it
If you’re stuck with a toothache outside office hours, your goal is to reduce inflammation, avoid triggers, and protect the area until you can be seen. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (if you can take it safely) often works better for dental pain than relying on acetaminophen alone, though some people use a combination based on pharmacist guidance.
Cold compresses on the outside of the cheek can help with swelling and numb the area a bit. Keeping your head elevated can reduce throbbing—especially if the pain ramps up when you lie down.
Rinsing gently with warm saltwater can soothe irritated gums and help keep the area clean. If food is stuck, careful flossing can be a game-changer—but don’t force it so hard that you injure the gum.
Things that often make toothaches worse (even if they seem tempting)
Heat directly on the face (like a heating pad) can sometimes worsen swelling if there’s infection. If you’re not sure what’s going on, stick with cold compresses until you’ve been assessed.
Putting aspirin directly on the gum or tooth is a common myth and can cause chemical burns. It doesn’t “soak in” the way people hope it will.
Be cautious with numbing gels, especially for kids. They can mask symptoms without addressing the cause, and overuse can irritate tissues. If you’re unsure, ask a pharmacist what’s safe for your situation.
When the timeline means “don’t wait”: signs you need urgent care
Some toothaches are uncomfortable but not dangerous. Others can signal infection or damage that can worsen quickly. If you’re on the fence, it helps to know which symptoms should move you from “monitoring” to “getting help now.”
Seek urgent dental care if you have facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, or swelling that’s spreading toward the eye or neck. Those can be signs that infection is moving beyond the tooth.
Also treat it as urgent if pain is severe and persistent, especially if it wakes you up or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relief. A toothache that’s getting worse day by day is rarely something that resolves without treatment.
What happens at a dental visit for toothache (and how quickly you’ll feel better)
How dentists figure out the cause fast
Toothaches can have overlapping symptoms, so dentists usually combine a few tools: an exam, gentle tapping and bite tests, temperature tests, and X-rays. They’re looking for decay, cracks, bone changes, and signs of infection around the root.
You’ll often be asked about timing (when it started), triggers (cold, hot, chewing), and whether the pain lingers. Those details matter because they help separate reversible inflammation from deeper nerve involvement.
Once the cause is identified, the timeline to relief becomes much clearer. In many cases, the biggest improvement comes the same day the problem is stabilized—like draining an abscess, adjusting a bite, or treating decay.
Relief timelines after common treatments
After a filling: mild sensitivity can last a few days to two weeks, especially with deep cavities. It should trend downward, not upward.
After a root canal: many people feel significant relief within 24–72 hours, though the tooth can be tender to bite for a week or two as the surrounding ligament settles.
After an extraction: soreness is normal for several days, with the first 48–72 hours often being the most noticeable. Most people feel substantially better by day 5–7, though complete healing takes longer.
After gum treatment for infection: tenderness may improve quickly, but full resolution can take a week or two depending on the severity and whether there’s ongoing gum disease to manage.
Toothaches in kids: timelines, common causes, and how to keep it calm
Kids don’t always describe tooth pain clearly. Sometimes it shows up as refusing to eat, waking at night, chewing on one side, or suddenly hating toothbrushing. Timelines can move faster in children because baby teeth have thinner enamel and decay can progress more quickly.
Common causes include cavities, loose teeth during normal shedding, erupting molars, or gum irritation from food trapped near the back teeth. If a child has swelling, fever, or persistent pain, it’s important to get them assessed promptly.
If your child is anxious about dental visits, choosing a clinic that’s used to working with worried little patients can make a huge difference. Some families specifically look for the best dentist for nervous kids Toronto so the experience feels supportive, predictable, and less scary—especially when you’re already dealing with pain and stress.
Toothache timelines during pregnancy (and why it’s worth addressing)
Pregnancy can make gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding due to hormonal changes. That can create soreness that feels like tooth pain, and it may last weeks if plaque builds up or brushing becomes uncomfortable.
At the same time, pregnancy doesn’t cause cavities directly—but cravings, nausea, and changes in routine can increase risk. If tooth pain starts during pregnancy, it’s worth getting checked rather than assuming it will go away after delivery.
Most routine dental care is safe during pregnancy, and managing infection is especially important. If you’re unsure what’s appropriate, ask your dental office and your prenatal care provider to coordinate.
How cosmetic habits can affect sensitivity (including whitening)
Some people notice tooth sensitivity after whitening products, especially if they already have gum recession or enamel wear. The sensitivity is usually temporary—often 24–72 hours—but in some cases it can linger longer if the teeth were already borderline sensitive.
If you’re considering whitening and you’ve had toothaches before, it’s smart to talk through the plan first. A dental team can help you avoid whitening when there’s untreated decay or cracks, which can turn “temporary sensitivity” into “real pain.”
For those looking for a more controlled, supervised option, professional treatments like instant teeth brightening can still cause short-term sensitivity for some people, but you’ll typically have guidance on desensitizing steps and whether you’re a good candidate in the first place.
How to prevent the next toothache (without overhauling your whole life)
Small daily habits that change the timeline in your favor
Toothaches often start as small problems that quietly grow. The best prevention is reducing the “quiet growth” phase—catching issues early and keeping the mouth environment less friendly to decay and inflammation.
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily is the baseline, but technique matters more than intensity. Gentle, thorough cleaning near the gumline helps prevent both cavities and gum inflammation.
If you snack frequently, consider rinsing with water afterward. It’s a simple habit that reduces how long acids sit on the teeth—especially helpful if you sip coffee or sweet drinks throughout the day.
Regular checkups: why they matter even when nothing hurts
It’s common to think of dental visits as something you do when you’re in pain. The problem is that many toothache-causing issues don’t hurt until they’re advanced. By the time you feel pain, the “easy timeline” may have passed.
Regular exams and X-rays (as recommended) help spot decay between teeth, early cracks, and signs of gum disease before they turn into urgent situations. That often means smaller treatments and shorter recovery periods.
If you’re prone to sensitivity or have a history of deep fillings, checkups also help track changes over time. That’s useful because a tooth that’s slowly deteriorating can be addressed before it becomes a late-night emergency.
A simple way to decide what to do next
If your toothache is mild, clearly improving, and linked to a temporary cause (like gum irritation or something stuck), you can often monitor it for 24–48 hours while keeping the area clean and avoiding triggers.
If the pain is lingering, worsening, waking you up, or paired with swelling, treat the timeline as a warning sign, not a waiting game. Dental pain that escalates tends to do so at the worst possible time—right before a trip, during a busy work week, or late at night.
When in doubt, getting an assessment is usually the fastest path to relief, even if the fix turns out to be simple. Knowing the cause turns “How long will this last?” into a much more manageable plan.