Is My Tooth Pain an Emergency?
Tooth pain is never normal — and it may be warning you of a serious problem
A toothache can start as a dull sensitivity and quickly turn into sharp, throbbing pain that makes it impossible to work, sleep, or think clearly. While some dental discomfort is mild and temporary, many forms of tooth pain are signs of infection, nerve damage, or structural fractures that require urgent treatment.
📞 Same-day emergency treatment for dental pain in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Claremont, and Ontario. Call now: (909) 946-9090
Signs that tooth pain is a true emergency
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms below, your tooth pain should be treated immediately — not “wait and see.”
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Tooth pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
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Pain strong enough to wake you from sleep
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Throbbing or pulsing pain in the jaw or ear
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Sensitivity that lingers after hot or cold
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Pain when biting or chewing
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Swelling of the gums or face
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Bad taste or fluid discharge from gums
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Fever or general feeling of being unwell
What a toothache usually means — and why waiting makes it worse
Pain when chewing
Often indicates a cracked tooth, loose filling, or damage to the root.
Sudden sensitivity to hot or cold
Can signal worn enamel, deep decay, or nerve inflammation.
Sharp pain that comes and goes
A sign that bacteria may be spreading to the nerve of the tooth.
Constant, throbbing pain with swelling
This is likely an abscess — a dangerous infection that needs immediate attention.
Even if the pain temporarily fades, the underlying problem does not go away. Dental infections always progress without treatment.
What to do at home while getting to the dentist
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Rinse gently with warm salt water
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Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek
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Take ibuprofen (if safe for you) for inflammation
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Keep your head elevated, especially when lying down
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Avoid chewing on the painful side
These steps can ease discomfort, but they are not a cure. Pain relief does not mean the infection has stopped.
What NOT to do
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Don’t apply aspirin directly to the tooth or gums
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Don’t use heat — it can spread infection faster
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Don’t rely on painkillers for days without seeing a dentist
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Don’t ignore swelling — it can become life-threatening
Treatment at Higher Ground Dentistry for severe tooth pain
Emergency treatment depends on the cause of the pain. After a digital exam and X-ray, we provide immediate relief through one or more of the following:
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Removing decay and placing a new filling
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Bonding or stabilizing cracked teeth
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Same-day crown placement for structural damage
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Root canal treatment for nerve infection
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Antibiotics when necessary
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Gentle extraction only when a tooth cannot be saved
When to call 911 instead of a dentist
Go to the Emergency Room if you have:
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Swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
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High fever and facial swelling that is spreading
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Jaw fracture or recent head injury
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Severe uncontrolled bleeding
For most dental pain — including severe toothaches, abscesses, sensitivity, and pain when chewing — a dentist provides faster and definitive care.
Get relief today — not tomorrow
Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Call (909) 946-9090 for same-day emergency tooth pain treatment in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Claremont, and Ontario.