What Causes Tooth Pain?
Tooth pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The same type of pain can come from different dental problems, so an exam is important.
Common causes of tooth pain include:
- ✓Cavities or tooth decay
- ✓Cracked or chipped teeth
- ✓Worn, loose, or broken fillings
- ✓Dental infection concerns
- ✓Gum inflammation or gum disease
- ✓Food trapped between teeth
- ✓Tooth grinding or clenching
- ✓Bite pressure or a high filling
- ✓Tooth sensitivity from enamel wear or gum recession
- ✓Dental injury or trauma
A dentist can check the tooth and surrounding area to find the likely cause and explain suitable treatment options.
When Is Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?
Tooth pain may be urgent if it is severe, getting worse, or connected with swelling, infection signs, or injury.
Call a dentist promptly if you have:
- ✓Severe toothache
- ✓Pain that wakes you up or does not settle
- ✓Swelling around the gum, jaw, or face
- ✓Pain when biting or chewing
- ✓A broken or cracked tooth
- ✓A lost filling or crown
- ✓Bad taste or drainage near a tooth
- ✓Fever with dental swelling
- ✓Tooth pain after an injury
- ✓Sensitivity that suddenly becomes worse
Do not wait for severe pain to disappear on its own. Tooth pain often gets worse when the underlying cause is not treated.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Some symptoms need urgent medical attention, not only a dental visit.
Seek urgent medical care or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- ✓Trouble breathing
- ✓Trouble swallowing
- ✓Severe or spreading facial swelling
- ✓Swelling near the eye or neck
- ✓Uncontrolled bleeding
- ✓Serious facial or jaw injury
- ✓Fever with worsening swelling or feeling very unwell
These symptoms can be serious and should not be managed at home.
Tooth Pain Symptoms We Check
Sharp Tooth Pain
Sharp pain may happen when biting, chewing, or touching the tooth. It can be linked with cracks, decay, bite pressure, or damaged dental work.
Throbbing Toothache
Throbbing pain may suggest deeper irritation or infection concerns and should be assessed.
Cold or Sweet Sensitivity
Sensitivity to cold drinks, sweet foods, or air may be linked to decay, gum recession, enamel wear, or exposed tooth areas.
Pain When Biting
Pain when biting may be caused by a cracked tooth, infection concern, high filling, gum issue, or bite pressure.
Swollen Gum Around a Tooth
Swelling near a tooth may be linked to infection, gum inflammation, food trapping, or another dental problem.
Pain From a Broken Filling or Crown
A damaged filling or crown can expose the tooth and cause sensitivity, sharp edges, or pain when chewing.
What to Do Before Your Appointment
These steps may help protect the area until your dental visit.
Until you are seen:
- ✓Call the clinic and explain your symptoms clearly
- ✓Avoid chewing on the painful side
- ✓Rinse gently with warm water if the area feels irritated
- ✓Floss carefully if food feels trapped, but do not force it
- ✓Use a cold compress outside the face if there is swelling or injury
- ✓Follow directions from your physician or pharmacist if using over-the-counter pain relief
- ✓Keep any broken filling, crown, or tooth piece if available
- ✓Do not place aspirin directly on the gums or tooth
- ✓Do not ignore swelling, fever, or pain that is getting worse
These steps are temporary and do not replace a dental exam.
What Happens During a Tooth Pain Visit?
Symptom Review
We ask where the pain is, when it started, what triggers it, whether it comes and goes, and whether swelling or injury is involved.
Tooth and Gum Check
The dentist checks the painful tooth, nearby teeth, gums, bite, and any visible damage.
Bite and Sensitivity Testing
The dentist may check how the tooth responds to biting, pressure, cold, or other tests depending on the symptoms.
X-Rays When Needed
X-rays may be recommended to check for decay, infection concerns, root issues, bone changes, or damage not visible during the exam.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
After the assessment, your dentist explains what may be causing the pain and what treatment options may be suitable.
Possible Treatments for Tooth Pain
Treatment depends on the cause of the pain. A dental exam is needed before choosing the right option.
Tooth pain treatment may involve:
- ✓Dental filling for a cavity or small damaged area
- ✓Crown assessment for a cracked or weakened tooth
- ✓Root canal therapy if the inner tooth is affected
- ✓Emergency dental care for swelling, injury, or severe pain
- ✓Cleaning or gum care if the problem is gum-related
- ✓Night guard assessment if grinding or clenching is involved
- ✓Repair or replacement of a broken filling or crown
- ✓Referral if the concern needs specialist care
The goal is to treat the cause of the pain, not only cover the symptom.
Tooth Pain vs Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is often short, sharp discomfort from cold, sweet foods, brushing, or air.
Tooth pain may be deeper, longer lasting, throbbing, or triggered by chewing and biting.
Sensitivity can sometimes be minor, but it can also be a sign of decay, gum recession, enamel wear, cracked teeth, or exposed tooth structure. If sensitivity is new, worsening, or affecting one tooth strongly, it should be checked.
Cost and CDCP Information
The cost of a tooth pain visit depends on the exam, X-rays if needed, and the treatment required.
Grimsby Lake Dental accepts CDCP for eligible patients and eligible dental services. CDCP coverage depends on eligibility, treatment type, frequency limits, co-payments, preauthorization, and plan rules.
If you have private insurance, CDCP, or another dental benefit, bring your coverage information to your visit so our team can help review estimated costs before treatment begins.
Related Services
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes tooth pain?+
Tooth pain can be caused by cavities, cracked teeth, damaged fillings, gum problems, infection concerns, grinding, bite pressure, or dental injury.
When should I call a dentist for toothache?+
Call a dentist if tooth pain is severe, getting worse, lasting more than a short time, linked with swelling, or affecting chewing, sleep, or daily activities.
Is tooth pain always an emergency?+
Not always, but tooth pain should be checked. It may become urgent if it is severe, worsening, linked with swelling, or caused by injury.
What should I do if my tooth hurts when I bite?+
Pain when biting may be linked to a cracked tooth, infection concern, high filling, or bite problem. Avoid chewing on that side and book a dental assessment.
Can a cavity cause toothache?+
Yes. Cavities can cause sensitivity, pain, food trapping, or deeper tooth irritation as decay progresses.
Can a broken filling cause tooth pain?+
Yes. A broken or lost filling can expose the tooth, cause sensitivity, and allow more damage if not checked.
Will I need a root canal for tooth pain?+
Not always. Some tooth pain can be treated with a filling, crown, gum care, bite adjustment, or other treatment. Root canal therapy may be considered if the inner part of the tooth is affected.
Does CDCP cover tooth pain treatment?+
CDCP may help cover eligible dental services for eligible patients. Coverage depends on eligibility, treatment type, frequency limits, co-payments, preauthorization, and plan rules.
Do you accept new patients with tooth pain?+
Yes. Grimsby Lake Dental welcomes new patients with tooth pain or urgent dental concerns.
Where is Grimsby Lake Dental located?+
Grimsby Lake Dental is located at 414 Winston Rd, Grimsby, ON L3M 0H2, near Lake Ontario and the QEW.
Call a Tooth Pain Dentist in Grimsby
Have a toothache, sensitivity, pain when biting, swelling, or a broken filling? Call Grimsby Lake Dental and our team will help you choose the next step.