A toothache in Lake Worth may start with a cavity, a cracked tooth, an infected nerve, a wisdom tooth or your gums. Some problems can wait a few days. An infection can't. Call Cagigas Dental at (561) 814-2888 if your tooth hurts. We set aside time for same-day emergency visits and can explain your care in English or Spanish.
When Is a Toothache an Emergency?
Mild sensitivity that fades in a second or two usually isn't urgent. Mention it at your next visit anyway. Call us the same day if you notice any of these:
- Throbbing pain that keeps you awake or doesn't ease with over-the-counter pain medicine
- Swelling in your gum, cheek or jaw
- A pimple-like bump on the gum, or a bad taste that won't go away
- Fever with tooth pain
- Pain after a fall or a blow to the mouth, or a broken or loose tooth
- Sharp pain when you bite down on one spot
Go to the ER or call 911 if swelling makes breathing or swallowing difficult, spreads toward your eye or neck, or comes with a high fever and facial swelling. These can be signs of a spreading infection.
For knocked-out teeth, lost crowns and other urgent problems, read what to do in a dental emergency and our emergency dental care page.
What Tooth Pain May Mean
The type of pain gives us a clue. Only an exam and X-rays can confirm the cause.
| What you feel | Common cause | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|
| A quick zing with cold, sweets or air that stops right away | A cavity, a worn filling or an exposed root | A filling, or sensitivity toothpaste and a check of the gums |
| Pain with hot or cold that lingers, or a throbbing ache that starts on its own | An inflamed or infected nerve inside the tooth | Root canal therapy, usually followed by a crown |
| Sharp pain when you bite down or release your bite, which comes and goes | A cracked tooth | Often a dental crown; a deep crack may also need a root canal |
| Swelling, a bump on the gum, a bad taste | An abscess (a pocket of infection) | Draining the infection, then a root canal or an extraction |
| Pain and swelling behind the last molar | A wisdom tooth coming in or trapped under the gum | Cleaning the area, or a tooth extraction |
| Sore, bleeding gums around several teeth | Gum disease | A cleaning or a deep cleaning |
| An ache in several upper back teeth during a cold or allergies | Sinus pressure | Often not a dental problem, but an exam can rule out a tooth as the cause |
A toothache that suddenly stops isn't always good news. An infected nerve can die, leaving the infection behind even though the pain has faded. If strong pain disappears, keep your appointment.
Relief Before Your Visit
These steps can take the edge off while you wait for your appointment. They don't treat the cause.
- Rinse with warm salt water (about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water).
- Floss gently around the tooth. Food stuck between teeth can hurt more than you'd expect.
- Hold a cold pack against the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 off.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever exactly as the label says, if it's safe for you. Ask your pharmacist if you take other medicines.
- Chew on the other side. Avoid sugary foods and anything very hot or very cold.
- Sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow.
Don't put aspirin or any other pill directly on your gum. It can burn the tissue. Avoid heat on a swollen face, and don't take leftover antibiotics from an old prescription.
At Your Toothache Visit
At our office on 10th Ave N in Lake Worth, a toothache visit usually follows these steps:
- You tell us where it hurts and what sets it off. We'll also ask how long it's been happening.
- The dentist examines the tooth and takes digital X-rays of the area.
- Before treatment starts, you get a diagnosis and a written estimate for your options.
- If you're in a lot of pain, getting you comfortable comes first.
- Some problems can be treated that day. Others need another visit, such as a crown after a root canal.
Haven't Seen a Dentist in a While?
Many toothaches start as small problems a routine exam would catch. New patients can book our $79 new-patient visit for a full exam and digital X-rays. The visit also includes a basic cleaning for patients with healthy gums. A deep cleaning is separate. Patients with dental insurance are billed at their plan's price.
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.
How Much Does It Cost to Treat a Toothache?
We don't quote a treatment price before we know what's causing the pain. A filling is different from a root canal with a crown, and an extraction is another treatment again. The exam tells us what you need. You'll get the price in writing before we start.
- We accept most major insurance plans and check your benefits for free. Coverage for emergency exams and treatment depends on your plan.
- If you don't have insurance, read our guide to dentist costs without insurance in Lake Worth.
- We offer financing through four lenders: CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, Sunbit and Cherry. Each lender decides whether to approve an application.
Waiting usually costs more. Treat a cavity early and a filling may be enough. Leave it alone and the tooth may need a root canal and crown, or an extraction. If it can't be saved, our Spanish guide to dental implants in Lake Worth explains the replacement options.
Preventing the Next Toothache
- Get a checkup and cleaning every 6 months to catch small cavities and cracks early.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth daily.
- If you grind or clench, ask about a night guard. Grinding is a common cause of cracked teeth.
- Don't chew ice or hard candy. Avoid popcorn kernels, too.
- Get bleeding gums treated early. Our guide to gum disease treatment in Lake Worth explains the signs.
Resumen en Español
El tipo de dolor de muela ayuda a saber qué lo causa. Una molestia breve con el frío puede ser una caries, una raíz expuesta o una restauración desgastada. Si el dolor late, no le deja dormir o sigue después de tomar algo caliente o frío, puede ser un nervio inflamado o infectado. La hinchazón, un granito en la encía o un mal sabor pueden indicar un absceso. Eso hay que verlo el mismo día. Si la hinchazón le dificulta respirar o tragar, vaya a emergencias o llame al 911. Mientras espera la cita, puede enjuagarse con agua tibia con sal y usar hilo dental con cuidado. También puede ponerse una compresa fría por fuera de la mejilla. No se ponga aspirina sobre la encía. En Cagigas Dental, en Lake Worth, le examinamos y le tomamos radiografías digitales. Antes de empezar el tratamiento, le explicamos en español qué tiene y cuánto cuesta. Si perdió una muela, lea nuestra guía de implantes dentales en Lake Worth. Llámenos al (561) 814-2888.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a toothache go away on its own?
Pain from trapped food or mild sensitivity can fade. A cavity or crack usually hurts again. So can an infection, though an infected nerve may stop hurting while the infection remains. Get the tooth checked if the pain was strong or lasted more than a day or two.
Should I go to the ER or a dentist for a toothache?
A dentist is the right place for most toothaches. Most ERs can't repair the tooth itself, although they can treat a serious infection. Go to the ER or call 911 if swelling makes breathing or swallowing difficult, spreads toward your eye or neck, or comes with a high fever.
Can I get a same-day appointment for tooth pain in Lake Worth?
Call Cagigas Dental at (561) 814-2888 and tell us it's an emergency. We set aside time for same-day emergency visits on weekdays. We'll get you in as soon as we can.
Why does my toothache get worse at night?
When you lie down, more blood flows to your head. That can increase pressure around an inflamed nerve, and you have fewer distractions from the pain. Sleeping with your head raised can help. Pain that wakes you needs attention soon.
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed first. Most patients say it feels like getting a filling, though the tooth may be sore for a few days afterward. For many people, the root canal ends the toothache.
Tooth pain? Call us today.
Cagigas Dental is at 2311 10th Ave N, Suite 14, Lake Worth, FL 33461, a few minutes from West Palm Beach. Dra. Arianna Romero and our team see patients in English and Spanish, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Phone (561) 814-2888.