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Toothache? Here’s what to do.

Tooth pain is hard to ignore and hard to think through. This page helps you judge how soon to call and what helps until you are seen.

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Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS·Last updated October 9, 2026

4.9 out of 5 from 473 Google reviews (as of October 2026). Read them on GoogleCaring for Santa Maria families for more than 40 yearsThree dentists accepting new patients

A toothache usually means a tooth or the gum around it needs care. Common causes are a cavity, a cracked tooth, a gum infection, or an inflamed nerve. Call a dentist within a day or two for pain that lasts more than a day. Call the same day for swelling, fever, or pain that keeps you up at night. At Kitto Family Dental in Santa Maria, call (805) 922-4109 and we’ll find the soonest time.

How soon should you call?

What you notice	What it may mean	When to call
Quick, sharp pain with cold or sweets that fades fast	A cavity or worn enamel	Within a week or two
Pain when you bite down or let go	A cracked tooth or deep cavity	Within a few days
Throbbing that lingers or wakes you up	An inflamed or infected nerve	Same day or next day
Swollen gum or face, bad taste, or fever	An infection (abscess)	Same day. Go to the ER if swelling affects breathing or swallowing.
Dull ache in the back of the jaw	A wisdom tooth or gum infection	Within a few days

What helps until your visit.

Rinse with warm salt water.
Floss gently around the tooth. Trapped food can cause real pain.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs, if it is safe for you.
Hold a cold pack on the outside of your cheek.
Avoid very hot, very cold, and sugary foods.
Sleep with your head raised.

Please don’t put aspirin on the gum, because it can burn the tissue. And don’t wait out swelling. Pain that fades on its own can still mean an infection, since a nerve can stop hurting while infection spreads.

How we find the cause.

Call and quick triage
Tell us where it hurts and what triggers it. We use that to decide how soon you need to be seen.
Exam and x-ray
We check the tooth, the gum, and your bite, and take only the imaging we need.
A plain-language answer
You see what we see on the screen, and we explain your options and costs.
Relief
When we can, we start relieving the pain at the same visit.

Common treatments for tooth pain.

A filling for a cavity.
A root canal for an infected or inflamed nerve.
A crown for a cracked or weak tooth.
Gum treatment for a gum infection.
An extraction when a tooth can’t be saved.

Who you’ll see.

Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Practicing since 2011, in the practice her father, Dr. Robert Kitto, founded. Full-scope family and restorative care.

Every doctor here sees kids and adults, and you can ask for the same doctor each visit. Meet all three dentists.

Insurance, minus the headache.

Most PPO plans welcome. We check your benefits before your visit, including deductible and remaining yearly maximum.
A written estimate first. For anything beyond a routine preventive visit, you see what insurance is expected to pay and what you owe before we begin.
We file the claim. You don’t need to send anything to your carrier yourself.
No insurance? No problem. We explain costs up front. Our membership plan covers routine care for one yearly fee, and CareCredit or Cherry financing can help with larger treatment.

Not sure what your plan covers?

Call with your carrier name and member ID. We’ll tell you what to expect before you book. Heads up: we don’t participate in most DHMO or Medi-Cal dental plans.

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Insurance and payment details

Common questions

Can a toothache go away on its own?

Pain from trapped food or mild gum irritation can fade. Pain from a cavity, crack, or infection usually doesn’t heal on its own, even if it stops hurting for a while. Have it checked.

Why does my tooth hurt more at night?

Lying down sends more blood to your head, which can raise pressure in an inflamed tooth. There are also fewer distractions. Pain that wakes you up is a reason to call the next morning.

Is a toothache a dental emergency?

It’s urgent when you have swelling, fever, a bad taste, or pain that won’t let you sleep. See our emergency dentistry page for more.

What if I can’t get in today?

Call anyway. We triage by phone and offer the soonest slot. If swelling affects breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room.

Can a sinus infection make my teeth hurt?

Yes. Sinus pressure can make several upper back teeth ache at once. An exam helps us tell sinus pain from a tooth problem.

Will I need a root canal?

Not always. Many toothaches are fixed with a filling or gum care. A root canal is for a nerve that is infected or badly inflamed. We test the tooth and explain why before recommending anything.

Do you see kids with toothaches?

Yes. Kids’ tooth pain gets the same quick triage. Call and tell us your child’s age and symptoms.

Will I know the cost before treatment, and when do I pay?

Yes. Before any treatment beyond your exam and cleaning, you get a written plan with a cost estimate. If you have insurance, we check your benefits first and file the claim for you. Your portion is due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, major credit cards, and financing through CareCredit or Cherry for larger treatment. See insurance and payment.

Tooth hurting right now?

Call us. We’ll ask a few questions and find you the soonest time we can.

Call (805) 922-4109 Call (805) 922-4109