한국어 
简体中文 SYMPTOM · TOOTHACHE
My tooth throbs and hurts
Why does my tooth throb even when I am not doing anything?
The short answer
Why does my tooth throb even when I am not doing anything?
Pain that throbs without any stimulus, or hurts more at night, is usually a sign that the nerve (pulp) is inflamed or that pus has collected at the tip of the root. Even if painkillers calm it for a while, the cause remains, so the tooth causing it should be found as soon as possible and the inflammation removed with root canal treatment or drainage. If swelling, fever or difficulty opening the mouth come with it, same-day care is needed.
When your tooth throbs and hurts, what are the common causes?
- 01
Pulpitis (nerve inflammation) Glossary (Korean) →
It occurs when bacteria reach the nerve through a deep cavity or a crack. Typically it hurts for a long time with cold or hot things and gets worse when lying down.
- 02
Periapical abscess Glossary (Korean) →
When pus collects at the root tip after the nerve has died, the tooth throbs and feels as if it is raised when you bite. A pimple-like pus channel may also form on the gum.
- 03
Cracked tooth Glossary (Korean) →
When a crack extends to the nerve, the pain progresses from pain on biting to spontaneous pain.
- 04
Inflammation around a wisdom tooth Glossary (Korean) →
When the gum around a partly erupted wisdom tooth becomes inflamed, the area behind the back molars swells and throbs, and opening the mouth becomes uncomfortable.
- 05
Periodontal abscess Glossary (Korean) →
When pus collects in a deep gum pocket, the gum swells, the tooth becomes loose and it hurts.
- 06
Causes other than the teeth
Pain in the upper molars can be caused by sinusitis, and jaw muscle pain by a jaw joint problem. If the dental examination finds nothing wrong, we look in this direction.
Come in right away, without putting it off, if
- The face or jaw is visibly swollen and you have a fever
- You cannot open your mouth well, or it is hard to swallow
- The pain cannot be controlled even with painkillers
- Pus is coming from the gum, or strong bad breath has suddenly appeared
Call us during opening hours 02-877-2867 · If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to an emergency room first.
How does Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon check it?
- 1
We check the nature of the pain (spontaneous, at night, on biting) and when it started to narrow down the tooth causing it. Pain often spreads to neighboring teeth, so the tooth you point to and the actual cause may differ.
- 2
X-rays, and 3D CT when needed, show the depth of a cavity, inflammation at the root tip and the direction of a crack.
- 3
Cold tests, percussion and electric pulp testing are used to judge the condition of the nerve.
- 4
At this stage we judge whether the tooth can be saved, or whether a crack has run down into the root so it is hard to keep, and explain this to you.
How our equipment works is explained on the equipment page.
Which treatment does it lead to?
- Cavity · root canal treatment → When nerve inflammation or a periapical abscess is the cause. The inflammation is removed and the tooth is protected with a crown.
- Wisdom tooth extraction → When inflammation around a wisdom tooth keeps coming back. In the acute phase, we clean the area and prescribe medication, then decide when to extract.
- Gum treatment → When a periodontal abscess is the cause. We drain it and remove the tartar below the gum line.
- Implants → Considered after extraction when a crack has run down into the root and the tooth is judged hard to keep.
What can I do at home before my appointment?
- Painkillers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen types) help control pain but do not remove the cause. Please tell us at your visit about any medications you take and any chronic conditions.
- Do not chew on the painful side, and avoid hot food and alcohol.
- If there is swelling, use a cold compress; avoid hot compresses, as they can make the inflammation worse.
- Home remedies such as placing a painkiller directly on the sore spot or rinsing with alcohol damage the soft tissue of the mouth.
Frequently asked questions
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Q1. The pain went away after a few days. Do I still need treatment?
When a nerve dies, the pain can temporarily disappear. The inflammation progresses to the root tip and comes back later as swelling and greater pain, so we recommend having any tooth that has hurt checked.
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Q2. Does root canal treatment mean the tooth is pulled out?
No. Root canal treatment is treatment to save the tooth. The inflamed nerve tissue is removed, the inside of the root is disinfected and filled, and the tooth is covered with a crown so you can keep using it.
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Q3. Can I be treated on the same day?
For acute pain, the priority is reducing pain with same-day emergency care (opening the nerve chamber, drainage, prescriptions), and the main treatment is scheduled according to the condition. If you tell us the pain is severe when booking, we give you priority.
References
※ This page is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis. Causes and treatment differ from person to person, and treatment can have side effects. Last reviewed 2026-09-11 · Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)
Other symptoms
RESERVATION
Start by finding the cause
The same symptom can have different causes. After diagnosis, we explain only the treatment that is needed. Contact us through Naver Booking or by phone.
33 m from Exit 1, Bongcheon Station (Line 2) · Directions from Bongcheon Station →