Toothache, Boise

A toothache in Boise: find out why it hurts and be seen today.

A toothache can come from a cavity, a crack, a lost filling, a gum problem or an infection, and they can feel alike. Only an exam tells which one you have. Call before 3:30 pm on a weekday and we hold a same-day slot.

Same daywhen you call by 3:30 pm on a weekday
3 questionson the phone, so you know what to do tonight
In writingthe plan and the estimate, before treatment

(208) 555-0142

Possible causes

What can cause a toothache?

These are the usual suspects. We do not guess from the phone. The exam decides.

A cavity

Decay that has reached beyond the surface. It often shows up as a twinge with sweets, cold or heat before it becomes a steady ache.

A crack

A crack can hurt only when you release a bite, and it is hard to see. X-rays and a bite test help us find it.

A lost or leaking filling

The tooth under an old filling can decay or become sensitive when the seal fails.

Gum trouble

Swollen, tender or bleeding gum next to the sore tooth. Food trapped under the gum can cause pain that feels like the tooth itself.

An infection

A deep, throbbing ache that wakes you, sometimes with swelling or a bump on the gum. This needs a same-day exam.

Tonight

What helps until you are seen.

01
Take pain relief as the label directs
Only if it is safe for you, and not more than the label allows. Never put aspirin on the gum, because it can burn the tissue.
02
Cool the outside of the cheek
Fifteen minutes on, fifteen off. Avoid heat on a painful tooth.
03
Keep your head raised
Extra pillows help when pain is worse lying flat.
04
Skip very hot, very cold and very sweet
Chew on the other side. Brush gently around the sore tooth and rinse with warm water.
05
Call us in the morning, or now if we are open
Tell us when it started, what sets it off and whether there is swelling.

911

Call 911 or go to an emergency room if:

Swelling is spreading across your face, eye or neck
You have trouble breathing or swallowing
You have a fever and feel very unwell with the toothache
The pain follows a head or jaw injury

A swollen face with a fever is a medical emergency, not a wait-for-the-morning one.

The visit

What the dentist does about a toothache.

We start by listening. When did it start, what sets it off, what eases it. Then an exam: looking, tapping, testing with cold and checking your bite. An X-ray shows what the eye cannot, such as decay between teeth or changes at the root.

Then you get a plain answer and options. Treatment might be a filling, a crown, or care for the nerve of the tooth. Root canal treatment may be done here or with a referral to an endodontist, and we tell you which is the better fit. Nothing is done before you see the plan and the estimate in writing.

Questions, a visual exam and a cold test
X-rays when they help
Your options in plain words
A written estimate before treatment

A Morrow Creek treatment room lit in cool blue, with the chair and overhead lamp ready

Pain patterns

What different toothaches can point to.

This is a guide to what to tell us, not a diagnosis. Two causes can feel the same.

What you notice	One possible cause	Why an exam matters
A quick zing with cold that fades	Exposed or worn tooth surface	It may need only a filling or a sensitive-tooth plan
Pain that lingers after hot or cold	Decay or irritation near the nerve	Treatment depends on how deep it is
Sharp pain when you release a bite	A crack in the tooth	Cracks are hard to see and spread over time
Steady throbbing, worse at night	Inflamed nerve or infection	Needs a same-day exam and X-ray

If the cause turns out to be one of these.

Dental fillings How a cavity or a lost filling is repaired. Dental crowns When a cracked or worn tooth needs a cap. Same-day emergency care How the held slots work and what to do first.

FAQ

Questions about a toothache in Boise

Still unsure? Call (208) 555-0142.

Can a toothache go away on its own?

The pain can ease while the cause stays. A cavity or crack does not heal by itself, and pain that fades can come back worse. If it lasted more than a day, or woke you up, have it looked at.

Should I wait to see if it settles?

If there is swelling, a fever or pain at night, do not wait. If it is a mild twinge, call and describe it. We tell you whether today or a regular visit is the right call.

What can I take for the pain?

Over-the-counter pain relief taken as the label directs is what most people use, if it is safe for you. Ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines. Never place aspirin on the gum.

Will I need an X-ray?

Often yes, because a toothache cannot be judged by looking alone. We use the smallest number that answers the question and explain why before taking it.

Will I need a root canal?

Not always. Many toothaches are a cavity or a crack that a filling or crown can handle. If the nerve is involved, the dentist explains your options, which may include a referral to an endodontist.

What does it cost to find out what is wrong?

We do not list prices on this site. You get a written estimate after the exam and before treatment. We work with most major PPO plans.

Boise, Idaho

Tooth problem? Tell us now.

Call before 3:30 pm on a weekday and we hold a same-day slot for you. After that, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then.