Symptom Guide
Toothache
A toothache is information, not a verdict. Here is how to read it, what helps tonight, and when it is time to let us take a look.
Reviewed by our dentists, Updated April 2026
What a toothache might mean
Tooth pain has a short list of usual suspects, and none of them are mysterious:
- Decay that has reached the deeper layers. A cavity in enamel is silent; once it nears the nerve, the tooth starts reporting in.
- A crack or a failing filling. Pressure on the crack flexes the tooth and stings the nerve, classically when you bite and release.
- An infection at the root. Throbbing, pressure, and sensitivity to heat suggest the nerve is inflamed or an abscess is forming.
- Something that is not the tooth at all. Sinus pressure, gum inflammation, or overnight clenching can all impersonate a toothache convincingly.
Self-care that actually helps today
Floss gently around the sore tooth first; a popcorn hull or a seed wedged below the gumline causes a surprising share of toothaches. Ibuprofen taken as directed handles dental inflammation well, and a cold compress on the cheek helps if there is any puffiness. Skip the old folk remedy of holding aspirin against the gum, which burns the tissue, and avoid very hot or very cold food on that side. Sleeping with your head slightly propped reduces the nighttime throb.
When to call promptly
Call the same day for swelling, fever, a pimple-like bump on the gum, or pain that lingers minutes after hot or cold. Call this week for anything milder that keeps returning. And if swelling ever spreads toward your eye or throat or affects swallowing, go to the emergency room first and call us after.
How we evaluate and treat it
At your visit we test the tooth, take a focused X-ray, and use CBCT 3D imaging, available at both offices, when the source is hiding below the gumline. Treatment matches the actual cause: a filling for decay, a crown for a cracked tooth, or an in-house non-surgical root canal when the nerve is infected. If the ache is urgent, our emergency toothache page covers what to expect, and nitrous oxide is available if nerves of the other kind are part of the picture.
Two offices, answered around the clock
Call the Electric Rd office at 540-774-8288 (2660 Electric Rd Suite A, just off Route 419) or the Brambleton Ave office at 540-774-3143 (4907 Brambleton Ave), or book online. Same-day and next-morning slots are typical for patients in pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my toothache is an emergency?+
Swelling in your face or gums, fever, a bad taste that keeps returning, or pain that wakes you from sleep all mean the problem is active and you should call the same day. A milder ache that comes and goes still deserves a call this week, because toothaches almost never resolve on their own.
Why does my tooth hurt only when I bite down?+
Pain on biting that disappears when you release often points to a cracked tooth or a filling that no longer seals well. The crack flexes under pressure and irritates the nerve. It is one of the few toothaches where acting early can be the difference between a crown and losing the tooth.
Can a sinus infection cause a toothache?+
Yes. The roots of your upper back teeth sit close to the sinus floor, so sinus pressure can mimic a toothache in several teeth at once. If the ache involves multiple upper teeth and gets worse when you bend over, sinuses are a real suspect. An exam and X-ray can tell the difference quickly.
Will I automatically need a root canal?+
No. Plenty of toothaches end with a filling, a crown, or removal of trapped debris. A root canal only enters the picture when the nerve inside the tooth is infected or dying, and we confirm that with testing and imaging first. When one is needed, we perform non-surgical root canals in-house rather than sending you across town.
How fast can Roanoke Dental Center see me for tooth pain?+
Our phones are answered 24 hours a day by our smart answering system, and treatment happens during clinical hours, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Patients in pain typically get same-day or next-morning appointments at either the Electric Rd or Brambleton Ave office.
★ When You're Ready
Come see for yourself.
Take your time choosing the office that fits.
Pick the Cave Spring office that's closer to you. Appointment scheduling is open 24/7 by phone or online, clinical visits are Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM at both offices.
Visit Electric Rd
2660 Electric Rd Suite A
Visit Brambleton Ave
4907 Brambleton Ave
Or call the front desk