Emergency Dentist
Pain that can't wait gets seen as soon as possible.
Get urgent helpTooth pain, decoded
Why does my tooth hurt?
Tooth pain almost always has a findable cause: decay reaching the nerve, a crack, an infection, gum recession, or grinding. The kind of pain you feel is a clue, and an exam with an X-ray usually turns the guess into an answer the same visit. So let's stop guessing.
Decoding the ache.
Sharp pain when you bite? That often points to a crack or a failing filling. A lingering ache after hot or cold suggests the nerve is irritated, sometimes from deep decay. Throbbing that wakes you at night, a bad taste, or a bump on the gum can mean infection. Tenderness at the gumline with sensitivity often traces to recession or grinding.
Here's the catch: pain that fades isn't pain that's fixed. Nerves can quiet down while the problem underneath keeps growing, so a tooth that hurt last month still deserves a look. Dr. Little will tell you plainly what she finds and what it needs, with a written estimate before any treatment.
How urgent is it
How fast should you call?
Call today
Pain that's throbbing or getting worse, swelling in your gum or face, pain with a fever, or a broken tooth with sharp edges. Same-day help is sometimes possible.
This week is fine
Sensitivity that passes quickly, a mild ache when you chew, or a tooth that reacts to sweets. Grab the next comfortable opening before it escalates.
Emergency room first
Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, an injury with bleeding you can't control, or facial trauma from an accident. Treat those before dental care.
The money part.
Figuring out tooth pain usually takes an exam and an X-ray, and you'll see the cost of any treatment in writing before it starts. Most PPO plans pay out-of-network benefits toward both. Here's how insurance works here and your payment options.
Things people ask about toothaches.
Can tooth pain go away on its own?
The feeling can fade, but the cause rarely fixes itself. A nerve that stops hurting may be dying rather than healing, and infection can spread quietly. So even if it calms down, get it looked at.
Why does my tooth only hurt when I chew?
Pressure pain often means a crack, a high or failing filling, or inflammation around the root. Chewing tests exactly where the problem is, which helps Dr. Little find it quickly.
What can I take for tooth pain before my visit?
Over-the-counter pain relievers used as directed, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, and keeping the area clean usually help. One thing to skip: placing aspirin against the gum. It burns tissue.
Is a toothache ever an emergency?
Yes. Swelling, fever, or pain that's escalating fast deserve a same-day call, and swelling that affects breathing or swallowing belongs in the emergency room first.
Let's get to the bottom of it.
Call the office or request a time online. One exam turns pain into a plan.