Can tooth decay cause toothache?
Oct 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
Whether dental caries causes tooth pain depends on the severity of the condition. Mild caries usually does not cause pain, but moderate to severe caries may lead to toothache. To prevent tooth pain caused by caries, it is important to thoroughly brush teeth morning and night using fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth with dental floss. Additionally, reduce consumption of sweets and carbonated beverages, and rinse your mouth promptly after meals.
In general, whether dental caries causes tooth pain depends on the severity of the condition. Mild caries usually does not cause pain, but if it progresses to moderate or severe stages, tooth pain may occur. The details are as follows:
If caries is in its early stage and only affects the enamel surface without involving the dentin or pulp, the tooth may show no obvious reaction to stimuli such as cold, heat, sourness, or sweetness, and there is typically no pain during normal chewing. At this stage, timely filling treatment can halt disease progression and prevent pain.
When caries progresses to moderate or severe levels, with decay reaching the superficial or deep layers of dentin and even invading the pulp, the tooth becomes sensitive. Brief pain may occur when consuming cold, hot, sour, or sweet foods. If bacteria infect the pulp and trigger inflammation, spontaneous pain may develop, often worsening at night and significantly affecting normal eating and rest.
To prevent tooth pain caused by dental caries, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene by thoroughly brushing teeth morning and night using fluoride toothpaste, and cleaning between teeth with dental floss. Additionally, reduce consumption of sweets and carbonated drinks, and rinse your mouth promptly after meals.
