Your dentist will ask you about the pain, like when it started, how severe it is, where exactly it hurts, and what makes it better or worse. They'll examine your mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, tongue, throat, sinuses, ears, nose, and neck. You may get X-rays as well as other tests.
Treatment depends on the cause. Your dentist could:
- Fill a cavity or possibly pull the tooth
- Do a root canal if the cause of the tooth's nerve is infected
- Prescribe an antibiotic for a fever or swelling of the jaw