5 Toothache Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

By the dentists at Tooth Haus Dental Clinic · Updated July 2026

Some toothaches can wait until your next check-up. Others are your tooth telling you the problem has gone deep — and waiting turns a simple filling into a root canal. Here are the five signs to act on.

See a dentist promptly if you have:

• Pain that disturbs your sleep — night-time throbbing usually means the inflammation has reached the nerve
• Pain when chewing — deep decay, a cracked tooth, or infection at the root tip
• Prolonged sensitivity — lingering ache after hot/cold means damaged inner tooth structure
• Swollen gums or pus — an infection that will not resolve with painkillers
• Pain with a loose tooth or swollen cheek — the infection is spreading; see a dentist immediately

Why acting early saves money

Caught early, the fix may be a simple filling (from ฿800). Left until the nerve is involved, you're looking at a root canal (฿6,000–18,000) — or extraction and an implant. At Tooth Haus we diagnose with modern equipment and 3D X-ray to find the exact cause and treat only what's needed.