Symptom Guide

Why Does My Tooth Hurt ?

Name: Bonin Dental Care
Address: 100 Windsor River Road, Windsor, CA, 95492, US
Telephone: (707) 838-1400
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

Tooth pain is your body telling you something is wrong. The cause could be as simple as temporary sensitivity or as serious as an infection that needs urgent care. Knowing the difference matters.

Schedule an Evaluation Call (707) 838-1400

Common Symptoms

Sharp, shooting pain when chewing
Throbbing or pulsing pain that gets worse at night
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the stimulus is gone
Pain that radiates to the jaw, ear, or temple
Pressure or pain when biting down
Swelling of the gum, face, or jaw near the affected tooth
A pimple-like bump on the gum (dental abscess)
Bad taste in the mouth or foul-smelling drainage

Possible Causes

Tooth decay (cavity) reaching close to the nerve
Cracked or fractured tooth
Failed dental restoration (lost or broken filling/crown)
Infected or inflamed tooth pulp (pulpitis)
Dental abscess (bacterial infection at the root)
Gum disease (periodontal inflammation)
Tooth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Sinus pressure referred to upper teeth
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
Recently completed dental work (typically resolves in days)

Treatments at Our Office

Comprehensive exam and digital X-rays to identify the source
Filling for cavities not reaching the nerve
Crown for cracked or structurally compromised teeth
Root canal therapy coordinated with an endodontist if the nerve is infected
Tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved
Antibiotics for abscess or active infection
Custom nightguard for grinding/clenching
Periodontal therapy if gum disease is contributing
Oral conscious sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anxious patients

Understanding Tooth Pain

What is actually happening, and why it matters

Tooth pain is one of the most common reasons people seek dental care, and it is also one of the most variable in cause. The same throbbing sensation can mean very different things depending on what is actually happening inside your mouth. The only way to know for sure is a comprehensive exam with digital X-rays. Self-diagnosing tooth pain rarely works because the source is often deeper than what you can see or feel from the outside.

That said, certain patterns are common. Sharp pain triggered by hot or cold that disappears when the stimulus is removed often signals reversible sensitivity, sometimes from a small cavity or worn enamel. Pain that lingers after the stimulus is gone, especially if it builds into a throb that wakes you at night, is more concerning and often signals pulpitis (inflamed nerve tissue) or an infection that needs prompt treatment. Pain on biting may indicate a cracked tooth or a failed restoration. Pressure pain across multiple upper teeth is often referred from the sinuses rather than a dental cause.

Pain accompanied by facial swelling, fever, or pus drainage requires urgent care. A dental abscess can spread infection beyond the tooth into the surrounding bone and soft tissue, and rarely into the deeper neck spaces, which becomes a medical emergency. Do not wait through swelling that is progressing.

At Bonin Dental Care, we reserve same-day emergency appointments for tooth pain. Dr. Bonin examines the tooth, takes the imaging needed to identify the source, and explains your options before any treatment proceeds. Many pain causes are straightforward to treat once the source is identified. The goal of the visit is to relieve your pain and create a long-term plan that prevents recurrence.

When to call us immediately

Severe pain that wakes you at night, facial swelling, fever, pus drainage, or pain after dental trauma all warrant a same-day call. Our office reserves emergency slots for these situations. After hours, our after-hours line at (707) 797-9243 routes you to Dr. Bonin or his coverage dentist.

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How We Help

Services that address Tooth Pain

Common Questions

Tooth Pain: Common Questions

Can tooth pain go away on its own?

Sometimes, but it usually returns. Tooth pain that resolves on its own often means the nerve died from infection (the absence of pain signals the absence of living nerve tissue, not the absence of disease). An infected tooth that stops hurting is still infected and still needs treatment. Do not ignore pain just because it resolves.

What can I do for tooth pain at night?

Over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) help most acute tooth pain. Sleep with your head elevated to reduce blood flow to the area, which can ease throbbing. Avoid hot or cold foods and chewing on the affected side. Call our office first thing in the morning. If pain is severe with swelling or fever, contact our after-hours line at (707) 797-9243 rather than waiting.

Is sensitive teeth the same as tooth pain?

Sensitivity is a specific kind of pain triggered by hot, cold, or sweet stimuli that resolves when the stimulus is removed. True tooth pain is constant, throbbing, or worsens with chewing. Sensitivity is often manageable with sensitive toothpaste and reduced acidic-food exposure. True pain usually signals a problem that requires treatment.

Can sinus pressure feel like a toothache?

Yes. The roots of upper molars sit close to the sinus floor, so sinus inflammation can create pressure that feels like a tooth problem. Sinus-referred tooth pain typically affects multiple upper teeth at once and worsens when you bend over. Treating the sinus issue resolves the pain. Dr. Bonin can usually distinguish sinus pain from tooth pain at the exam.

What is the difference between a cavity and a root canal problem?

Cavities are decay in the outer tooth layers (enamel and dentin) and are typically fixed with a filling. When decay reaches the inner pulp tissue (containing the nerve and blood vessels), the tooth needs root canal therapy because the pulp cannot heal once infected. Dr. Bonin diagnoses which one you have at the exam, and coordinates root canal care with a trusted endodontist if needed.