Toothache in Atlanta: What It Can Mean and What to Do
When Your Tooth Hurts
A toothache is pain in or around a tooth. The most common causes are a cavity, a crack, an inflamed nerve, or a gum problem, and the right treatment depends on which one it is. Pain that is severe, lasts more than a day or two, or comes with swelling should be checked promptly.
In pain now? Call 404-233-1102. Tell us when it started and whether you have swelling, fever, or bleeding.
What Can Cause a Toothache?
The kind of pain you feel offers clues, but it can't confirm the cause. This table shows common patterns.
| Possible cause | What you may notice | How it's treated | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity (decay) | Aching or sharp pain with sweets, cold, or chewing | Filling; small early areas may be monitored | Fillings |
| Inflamed nerve (pulpitis) | Lingering pain after cold or heat; throbbing; pain at night | Depends on whether the nerve can recover; may need root canal therapy (referred) or extraction | Are Root Canals Safe? |
| Cracked tooth | Sharp pain when biting or releasing a bite | Filling, onlay, or crown; extraction if the crack is too deep | Cracked or Chipped Tooth |
| Abscess (infection) | Constant throbbing, swelling, a bump on the gum, bad taste, fever | Urgent care to control the infection and treat the tooth | Swelling or Abscess |
| Gum problem | Soreness around one tooth; food trapping; bleeding | Cleaning, periodontal therapy | Periodontal Therapy |
| Exposed root or worn enamel | Brief zings with cold or brushing | Desensitizing care; bonding in some cases | Sensitive Teeth |
| Grinding or clenching | Dull ache in several teeth or the jaw, often in the morning | Protective appliance; repair of worn areas | Fillings |
| Sinus pressure | Ache in several upper back teeth, worse when bending over | Often managed by your physician | — |
When to Call Right Away
Call 404-233-1102 the same day if you notice any of the following.
Severe pain, or pain that is getting worse instead of better
Swelling of the gum, face, or jaw
Fever, or a general feeling of being unwell, along with tooth pain
Trouble opening your mouth
Pain after an injury to the mouth
When medical care comes first: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading quickly in the face or neck, uncontrolled bleeding, or serious facial injury.
What You Can Do Until Your Visit
These steps can ease discomfort, but they don't treat the cause.
Rinse gently with warm water, and floss carefully if food may be trapped.
Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for swelling.
Take over-the-counter pain relief only as directed on the label, and only if it is safe for you.
Do not place aspirin or any other medication directly on the tooth or gum. It can burn the tissue.
Avoid chewing on that side, and avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Every visit starts with listening. We examine before we recommend, and the decision is always yours.
Your story. When the pain started, what triggers it, how long it lasts, and your health history and sensitivities.
Examination. We check the tooth, the gums around it, and your bite, and we test how the tooth responds.
Imaging when needed. X-rays are recommended only when they will help find the cause.
Options explained. You hear what we found and every reasonable option, including those that keep the tooth.
Relief first. When possible, we relieve pain at the first visit. Definitive care may be scheduled separately or referred.
How We Approach Toothache at Atlanta Dental Wellness
We diagnose before we treat, and we explain why a tooth hurts before recommending anything.
We try to save natural tooth structure whenever the tooth can be predictably restored.
We use BPA/Bis-GMA-free composite for fillings and discuss materials before using them.
Dental ozone may be used alongside treatment when it fits your diagnosis.
When a nerve needs root canal therapy, we explain the option and refer you. When a tooth cannot be saved, our Tooth Extractions page explains what comes next.
Numbing without epinephrine is available for patients who need it. [Confirm.]
Both of our dentists, Dr. Cale Jackson and Dr. Matthew Giordano, are SMART-certified and accredited by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers address common questions patients ask about toothache. Your examination and health history may lead to different advice for you.
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Rinse with warm water, floss gently, use a cold compress, and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed. These steps ease pain but do not fix the cause.
Most toothaches come from a problem that will not heal on its own, such as a cavity, crack, or infection. A dental exam is the only way to stop the pain for good.
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Lying down increases blood flow to the head, which can raise pressure inside an inflamed tooth. There are also fewer distractions at night.
Pain that wakes you up often means the nerve is inflamed. Call us for a prompt visit.
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Mild sensitivity sometimes fades, but pain from decay, a crack, or infection does not heal by itself.
Pain that stops suddenly can mean the nerve has died, while infection may still be present. Have it checked even if it goes quiet.
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It is urgent when the pain is severe, worsening, or comes with swelling, fever, or trouble opening your mouth.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading quickly in your face or neck, or bleeding you cannot stop.
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Pain on biting often points to a crack, a high or failing filling, or inflammation around the root.
We check the bite and test individual cusps to find which part of the tooth is involved.
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Not necessarily. Many toothaches are solved with a filling or other repair.
If the nerve is badly inflamed or infected, we explain root canal therapy, which we refer, and extraction, which we provide, so you can choose with the full picture.
Last reviewed: October 2026 by Cale Jackson, DMD, SMART-certified and IAOMT-accredited biological dentist, Atlanta Dental Wellness.
Get Answers, and Relief
If your tooth hurts, call Atlanta Dental Wellness in Atlanta. We'll find out why and explain your options before any treatment begins.