What does this mean?
Throbbing comes from inflamed tissue swelling inside a closed chamber. The tooth is enclosed by hard tissue, so the swelling has nowhere to expand and the pressure presses on the nerve. That is why the pain arrives in time with your heartbeat.
The distinguishing point is that it begins unprompted. Pain triggered by cold that fades in seconds is sensitivity. Pain that starts without a trigger, lasts minutes and worsens at night is irreversible pulp inflammation.
Throbbing pain has two usual causes, and both progress with time; the difference is whether the infection has left the tooth.
Likely causes
What helps at home?
- Sleeping with your head raised lowers the pressure in the pulp somewhat
- Do not lie on the painful side, and avoid very hot or very cold drinks
- Take painkillers as advised; placing a tablet such as aspirin directly on the gum causes a chemical burn
- Spreading swelling of the face, cheek or under the eye
- Toothache accompanied by fever
- Difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing
- Pain that painkillers do not touch and that breaks your sleep
Frequently asked questions
- The pain stopped suddenly; is it over?
- Usually not. Severe pain ending on its own often means the nerve has died completely; the infection then keeps moving quietly towards the root tip.
- Will antibiotics take the pain away?
- They can hold the infection back for a while, but because the source is untouched it returns. Antibiotics alone are not a treatment.
This content is for general information and does not replace an in-person examination. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and a diagnosis can only be made clinically.