Severe toothache is intense, persistent dental pain that does not settle on its own and often worsens over time. It is usually caused by infection, deep decay, or damage to the tooth nerve and often requires urgent dental treatment.
Yes — in many cases, severe toothache requires urgent dental assessment, particularly when pain is persistent, worsening, or linked to infection or trauma.
Emergency dental care is based on identifying the underlying cause and assessing clinical risk before deciding on treatment. Our emergency dentistry care framework explains how symptoms like severe toothache are evaluated, prioritised, and managed safely when time sensitivity is a concern.
Use the guide below to understand the urgency.
Immediate dental emergency (seek care today):
Same-day urgent dental problem:
Possibly non-urgent (still needs assessment):
If your pain fits the first or second category, delaying treatment increases the risk of infection and complications.
Severe toothache usually means infection, inflammation, or structural damage inside the tooth or surrounding tissues.
When bacteria reach the inner nerve (pulp), the tooth can become intensely painful. Typical signs include:
Left untreated, this can develop into a dental abscess, which is a serious infection.
If decay gets close to the nerve, the tooth may become:
This is often a sign the tooth needs urgent restoration or root canal treatment.
A crack in the tooth can expose or irritate the nerve. You may notice:
Cracks often need immediate protection, such as a temporary restoration or crown.
Severe pain can sometimes come from:
This may make the tooth feel loose or “high” when you bite.
Pressure or infection around a wisdom tooth can cause:
All of these causes require professional assessment, not just pain relief.
Delaying treatment increases the risk of a spreading dental infection, where pus can build up around the tooth or gum
Short-term risks:
Medium-term risks:
Severe outcomes if untreated:
Can severe toothache go away on its own?
Infection or inflammation inside the tooth may temporarily settle as the nerve dies, but this often leads to recurring pain, abscess formation, and swelling.
If swelling develops in the cheek or jaw, this may indicate spreading infection — see our guide on facial swelling from tooth infection to understand when urgent care is needed.
At Deepcar Dental, our emergency appointments are led by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, GDC-registered Principal Dentist, who has advanced training in restorative and modern digital dentistry. We provide same-day emergency care for patients across Deepcar, Stocksbridge, Oughtibridge, Wadsley, Sheffield North and Barnsley, focusing on fast pain relief and clear, honest advice about your options.
Your appointment typically includes:
We examine the tooth, gums and surrounding structures, often using digital X-rays to look for:
Where appropriate, we may:
Depending on the diagnosis, same-day treatment may include:
Our priority is to control pain, stop infection, and leave you with a clear treatment plan.
Do you treat severe toothache for patients outside Deepcar?
Yes. While we are based in Deepcar, we regularly see emergency patients from nearby areas such as Stocksbridge, Oughtibridge, Wadsley, Sheffield North, and Barnsley. If you are unsure where to seek urgent care, our team can advise you based on symptoms.
Often, yes. Persistent or throbbing pain commonly involves nerve inflammation or infection.
No. They may reduce pain temporarily but do not treat the cause.
Same day. Waiting increases the risk of abscess and tooth loss.
That depends on the diagnosis. We assess whether the tooth can be saved first.
This can indicate spreading infection and requires urgent care.
Book an Emergency Appointment for Severe Toothache