Emergency Dentistry
I Have a Toothache. What Should I Do?
Tooth pain that comes and goes can still be a sign of decay, cracks, nerve inflammation, bite trauma, gum problems, or infection.
Quick Take
A toothache is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can come from a cavity, cracked tooth, bite trauma, gum infection, sinus pressure, or a nerve problem.
My tooth hurts. What should I do right now?
Call first and describe whether the pain is sharp, throbbing, lingering to cold or heat, worse when biting, waking you up, or paired with swelling.
Can this wait?
Pain that is worsening, waking you up, causing swelling, or making it hard to bite should not be ignored. Severe swelling or trouble swallowing belongs in urgent medical care.
When should I go to the ER?
Go to the ER for severe swelling, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, major trauma, or any medical emergency.
What can Elm Ridge do?
Elm Ridge can diagnose the source and recommend a filling, crown, root canal, extraction, bite adjustment, medication when appropriate, or referral if the problem is outside dental scope.
What might the treatment involve?
Toothache treatment may involve X-rays, CBCT when needed, a filling, crown, root canal, extraction, or abscess treatment. The right answer depends on diagnosis.
When root canal enters the conversation
Lingering temperature pain, spontaneous throbbing, swelling, or pain that wakes you up can mean the nerve is inflamed or infected. Elm Ridge performs many root canals, including molars, but not retreatments.
Will insurance apply?
Emergency exam, X-ray, and triage commonly range from $150-$350 for emergency exam, X-rays, and triage; treatment is separate. Treatment such as a filling, crown, root canal, extraction, medication, or follow-up care is separate. We can estimate benefits, but final payment is determined by the insurance company.
Related Questions Patients Ask
Root canals
When tooth pain comes from an inflamed or infected nerve.
Molar root canals
How Elm Ridge handles many back-tooth root canals.
Dental abscess
What to know if pain comes with swelling.
Related Care
Emergency FAQ
No. Aspirin can burn the gum tissue and does not treat the cause of the toothache.
Pain can fade temporarily even when the underlying problem remains, so recurring or lingering pain should be evaluated.
Swelling, fever, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, uncontrolled pain, or trauma should be treated urgently.
Call first for urgent dental problems
Same-day care is offered when the schedule allows, but calling is the best way to get triaged.