Toothache and tooth pain
What to do right now, when a toothache is urgent, and how the cause is treated at our Woodland Hills office.
At a glance
- Emergencies
- Same-day care for dental emergencies
- Dentist
- Dr. Nader Ahdout, DDS, USC School of Dentistry 1993
- Imaging
- Digital X-rays and a 3D CT scanner in the office
- Comfort
- Nitrous oxide or oral sedation, more than 23 years of experience
- Insurance and payment
- Most PPO and HMO plans and Medi-Cal; CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit
- Call
- (818) 340-3062
What causes a toothache, and can it be fixed?
A toothache can almost always be treated once the cause is found. The Merck Manual lists cavities, an inflamed nerve, an abscess, an injured tooth and a wisdom tooth coming in as the most common causes. Depending on the cause, the fix may be a filling, a root canal, or removing a tooth that can't be saved.
Pain that feels like it is in a tooth can also come from somewhere else, such as a sinus problem or an earache. Dr. Nader Ahdout checks the tooth on digital X-rays or the 3D CT scanner. If the pain is sudden or severe, see our page on dental emergencies.
See emergency dental careWhat to do right now for a toothache
- 1
Rinse and clean
Rinse with warm water and floss gently to clear out trapped food.
- 2
Cool the area
Hold a cold compress to your cheek, 10 to 20 minutes at a time, if it is swollen.
- 3
Take a pain reliever
[MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003067.htm) says this can help if you can't see a dentist right away. Follow the label.
- 4
Go easy on the tooth
Chew on the other side and avoid hot, cold, sweet or hard foods.
- 5
Call us
Call (818) 340-3062. We see dental emergencies the same day whenever we can.
When is a toothache urgent?
Call a dentist if a toothache is severe or lasts longer than a day or two. Call the same day if you have:
- Pain that throbs or keeps you awake
- Swelling in the gum, cheek or face
- A fever, an earache, or pain when you open your mouth wide
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- Go to the ER for swelling around an eye, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a fever with confusion
Common causes of a toothache and how each is treated
Your exam shows which one you have. These are the usual treatments.
Cavity
- What it is
- Decay has made a hole in the tooth
- Common signs
- Pain with sweets, hot or cold
- Usual treatment
- A filling, or a crown if a lot of tooth is lost
- If it can't be saved
- Rare when caught early
Inflamed nerve
- What it is
- The nerve inside the tooth is irritated or inflamed
- Common signs
- Lingering pain, sometimes throbbing
- Usual treatment
- A filling, or a root canal if the nerve is damaged
- If it can't be saved
- Removal and a dental implant
Abscess
- What it is
- Pus has collected at the tip of the root
- Common signs
- Constant pain, swelling, sometimes a fever
- Usual treatment
- A root canal, sometimes with antibiotics, or removal of the tooth
- If it can't be saved
- Removal and a dental implant or bridge
Source: Merck Manual: Toothache
In a patient’s words
“I recently had a root canal followed by a filling done by Dr. Ahdout, and I can honestly say he is one of the best dentists I have ever been to…”
Arash J., Google review
What treating a toothache costs
The cost depends on the cause: a filling, a root canal and crown, or removing the tooth. You'll get a written estimate first. We accept most PPO and HMO plans and Medi-Cal, and offer payment plans through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Call (818) 340-3062Toothache FAQs
For a toothache, rinse with warm water, floss gently, use a cold compress if your cheek is swollen and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. Then call a dentist, since these steps do not treat the cause.
A toothache goes away for good only when the cause is treated, for example with a filling, a root canal or removal of the tooth. Until then, over-the-counter pain medicine can help, as MedlinePlus notes.
A toothache that lasts longer than a day or two should be seen by a dentist, says MedlinePlus. One that comes and goes can still mean decay.
A toothache can come with head or ear pain, and the reverse also happens: MedlinePlus lists an earache and a sinus infection among the causes of pain felt in a tooth.
Go to the ER for a toothache only with swelling around an eye, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a fever with confusion or severe headache, which the Merck Manual lists as warning signs. For most toothaches, a dentist is the right call, and we see dental emergencies the same day.
For a toothache, the Merck Manual names acetaminophen and ibuprofen as over-the-counter options until you see a dentist. Follow the label.
The cost of treating a toothache depends on its cause. You'll get a written estimate first, insurance often covers part of it, and payment plans are available.
Smiles created here
Read more on Google“I had a very positive experience with Dr. Nader. The office was clean and well organized, and the staff were courteous and helpful from the moment I walked in.”
“I've been going to this practice for my dental needs for a long time, and I fully intend to keep coming back. The care and consistency here have always been excellent.”
“I had a great experience with Dr. Ahdout and his team. From the initial appointment to X-rays, deep cleaning, and my follow-up visit, everything was handled professionally and with care.”
“Dr. Ahdout and his team are truly excellent at what they do. From start to finish, their communication is clear, timely, and professional…”
Book a visit with Dr. Ahdout
Call or book online, and we'll find a time that works for you.
Visit our dental office on Ventura Boulevard
Our office is at 22116 Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, close to Calabasas, Tarzana and West Hills.
Hours
- Monday: 9am–6pm
- Tuesday: 9am–6pm
- Wednesday: 9am–6pm
- Thursday: 9am–6pm
- Friday: 9am–1:30pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed