Which is more painful: getting a numbing shot for a tooth or having a toothache?

Generally speaking, tooth pain is more painful than receiving a dental anesthetic injection. The specific analysis is as follows:

When receiving a dental injection, discomfort may occur at the injection site. This might include brief pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling. These uncomfortable sensations usually last only a few seconds, after which the injected area becomes numb and sensation disappears. Tooth pain, however, is a type of pain caused by various factors. Common causes include dental caries (cavities), gingivitis, and periodontal disease. The intensity of tooth pain can range from mild pricking to severe, drilling pain. The duration of tooth pain also varies depending on its cause, potentially lasting from several minutes to hours, or even days. Therefore, tooth pain is typically more painful than receiving a dental anesthetic injection.

If you experience tooth pain or discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and follow the dentist's advice for treatment. For patients requiring anesthetic injections, some discomfort may occur, but this is usually temporary and can be minimized through proper technique by the dentist.