Signs Your Toothache Needs a Dentist
An occasional twinge isn’t always urgent, but some symptoms mean it’s time to be seen. Pay attention if your pain is constant, sharp, or throbbing, if sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets lingers, or if it hurts when you bite or chew. Swelling around the tooth or gum, and pain that keeps you up at night, are also signs to book a visit. Without treatment, the cause of a toothache usually gets worse over time.
If that sounds like you, our team can help. Schedule your $89 exam today.
Why Your Tooth Hurts: Common Causes
Toothaches have many possible causes. These are the ones we see most often at our Clay Road location:
- Tooth decay or a cavity
- An infected tooth or abscess
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A lost or damaged filling or crown
- Gum disease or gum irritation
- Food or debris trapped between teeth
- Wisdom teeth coming in
- Teeth grinding or clenching
Toothache Dentist Serving Northwest Houston
Toothache Today? Same-Day and Walk-In Visits
Toothaches rarely pick a convenient time, and they shouldn’t have to wait. Our Clay Road office offers same-day and walk-in appointments, so you can be seen and treated without delay.
Why Treat a Toothache Right Away?
Get Back to Eating and Sleeping Comfortably
Find the Real Cause
Keep a Small Problem From Becoming a Big One
Fast Access When You’re Hurting
Say Hello to Our Smile Team
Comfort, Care, and Convenience
Relief, Resolve, and Restore
Toothache FAQs
Will a toothache go away on its own?
Sometimes, if the cause is minor, such as trapped food or temporary sensitivity. But pain from decay, a crack, or infection usually returns or gets worse. If a severe toothache suddenly stops hurting, don’t assume it healed, because it can mean the nerve has died while the infection remains. If a toothache lasts more than a day or two, have it examined.
Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down?
Pain when biting often points to a cracked tooth, a loose or damaged filling or crown, decay near the nerve, or infection at the root. Gum inflammation or a bite that’s slightly off can also cause it. Because several causes feel alike, a dentist needs to examine the tooth and take an X-ray to find the source.
What are the treatment options for a toothache?
Treatment depends on the cause. A cavity may need a filling, and a cracked or heavily damaged tooth may need a crown. If the nerve is infected, a root canal can often save the tooth, and a tooth that can’t be saved may need to be removed. An abscess needs its source treated, because antibiotics alone won’t cure it. Your dentist will go over your options after an exam.
What should I expect at an emergency toothache appointment?
We’ll ask about your symptoms, examine the tooth and surrounding gums, and take X-rays to find the cause. Then we’ll explain what we found and your options, and where possible start easing your pain during the same visit. You’ll know the plan and the cost before any treatment begins.
How much does toothache treatment cost, and do I need insurance?
The cost depends on the cause. A filling costs less than a root canal or extraction, so the exam is what determines the price. New patients can start with our $89 emergency exam. We accept many insurance plans and offer payment options, so you can get care without waiting.


