Is It Time to See a Dentist About Your Toothache?
One brief twinge doesn’t always call for a visit, but some patterns do. Pay attention to pain that is constant, stabbing, or throbbing, sensitivity to hot, cold, or sugar that lingers after the trigger is gone, discomfort when you chew, puffiness around the tooth or gum, or aching that interrupts your sleep. In most cases, the problem behind a toothache keeps advancing until it’s treated, and the pain tends to grow with it.
Our S Loop West team can pinpoint the cause quickly. Book your $89 exam and let us take a look.
What’s Behind Your Tooth Pain
A toothache can start for many different reasons:
- A cavity or other tooth decay
- An infected tooth or abscess
- A crack or break in the tooth
- A filling or crown that has come out or worn down
- Gum disease or irritated gum tissue
- Food caught between teeth
- Wisdom teeth erupting or pressing against neighbors
- Grinding or clenching, often during sleep
Toothache Dentists at Our S Loop West Office
Don’t Spend Another Night With a Toothache
Toothaches have a way of striking at the worst moments, and they’re rarely willing to wait for a convenient appointment. We keep openings for same-day and walk-in patients so you can be seen and treated promptly.
What You Gain From Acting Fast
Let the Pain Ease
Pin Down the Real Culprit
Avoid a Costlier Fix Later
Convenient Hours When You Hurt
Say Hello to Our Smile Team
Comfort, Care, and Convenience
Relief, Resolve, and Restore
Toothache Q&A
Will a toothache go away without treatment?
Occasionally, if the cause is minor, like food stuck between teeth or short-lived sensitivity. Pain from decay, a crack, or an infection usually comes back or gets worse. And if a severe toothache suddenly stops, don’t assume you’re in the clear, because it can mean the nerve has died while the infection remains. If a toothache lasts longer than a day or two, it’s time to have it examined.
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?
Biting pain often points to a cracked tooth, a filling or crown that’s loose or damaged, decay close to the nerve, or infection at the root. Inflamed gums or a bite that’s slightly uneven can cause it too. Since these causes can feel alike, a dentist needs to examine the tooth and take an X-ray to tell them apart.
What are the ways to treat a toothache?
The right treatment depends on the cause. A cavity may need a filling, while a cracked or heavily worn tooth might call for a crown. If the nerve is infected, a root canal can often save the tooth, and a tooth that can’t be repaired may need to be removed. An abscess requires treating the source, since antibiotics on their own won’t clear it. After your exam, we’ll go over the options with you.
What happens at an emergency toothache visit?
We’ll ask about your symptoms, check the tooth and the gums around it, and take X-rays to find the cause. Then we’ll explain what we found and what your options are, and when possible we’ll begin easing your pain during the same visit. You’ll know the plan and the cost before any treatment starts.
How much does toothache treatment cost, and do I need insurance?
Cost varies with the cause. A filling is generally less than a root canal or an extraction, which is why the exam comes first. New patients can begin with our $89 emergency exam, which includes X-rays. We work with insurance plans and offer payment options so cost doesn’t have to hold up your care.


