What to Do First When You Have Sudden Tooth Pain

Here’s What an Emergency Dentist Recommends When You Have Sudden Tooth Pain

Tooth pain rarely shows up at a convenient time. It might start as a small ache while you’re eating and suddenly become sharp and constant. It might wake you up in the middle of the night. Or you might notice swelling and think, “This doesn’t feel normal.”

When pain hits unexpectedly, most people aren’t sure what to do next. Is this something that will pass? Or is it something that needs to be treated right away?

As emergency dentists serving North Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles area, here’s what we typically recommend.

First, assume the pain has a cause.

Sudden tooth pain almost never appears without a reason. In many cases, it means a cavity has reached the nerve, a crack has formed in the tooth, or an infection is developing beneath the surface. Sometimes the issue has been quietly progressing for months and only becomes painful when the nerve becomes inflamed.

Pain is not something to “wait out.” It’s a signal. And the longer inflammation or infection sits untreated, the more complicated and expensive the solution can become.

Second, pay close attention to swelling.

If your gums, jaw, or face feel swollen, that’s often more concerning than the pain itself. Swelling can indicate infection, and dental infections can spread faster than people expect. Even if the discomfort feels manageable, visible swelling should be evaluated as soon as possible.

If swelling is paired with fever, difficulty swallowing, or increasing facial pressure, that’s when same-day emergency care is strongly recommended.

Third, don’t rely on pain medication as a long-term solution.

Over-the-counter medication can temporarily reduce discomfort, but it does not fix the underlying issue. If the pain returns as soon as medication wears off, that’s usually a sign the nerve or surrounding tissue is irritated or infected.

Many patients in North Hollywood tell us they tried to “power through it” for a few days. Almost all of them say the same thing afterward: they wish they had come in sooner.

So what actually happens during an emergency visit?

One of the biggest fears people have is not knowing what to expect. An emergency dental appointment is not about overwhelming you with procedures. It’s about relieving pain quickly and identifying the exact cause so you can make an informed decision.

When you come in, we focus on getting you comfortable first. Then we take digital X-rays and perform a focused exam to pinpoint what’s happening beneath the surface. Once we identify the problem, we explain it clearly and walk you through your options.

Depending on the diagnosis, emergency treatment may include stabilizing a cracked tooth, treating an infection, performing a root canal, or removing a tooth that cannot be saved.

If the issue involves the nerve of the tooth, root canal treatment is performed by our in-house endodontic specialist, Dr. Rayaan. Having a dedicated endodontist available allows us to treat many emergency infections precisely and efficiently without referring you elsewhere.

If an extraction is necessary, most routine extractions are performed by Dr. Shahrooz depending on complexity. Wisdom teeth and more complicated surgical cases are handled by our oral surgeon, Dr. Sadaat.

Because we provide both endodontic treatment and oral surgery in our office, many emergency cases can be diagnosed and treated under one roof. If your case aligns with our oral surgeon’s schedule and sedation is appropriate, twilight sedation may also be available.

Everything is explained clearly before anything begins. No surprises. Just a plan to relieve your pain and protect your health.