General dentistry

Toothache: what to do, what causes it and when to see a dentist

Your tooth reacts to cold, aches in the evening or hurts with every bite — and you just want to wait it out. Here is what may be behind the pain, when you should not wait, and what the first appointment involves.

Cross-section of a tooth with deep decay that has reached the nerve
Updated: 7 min read
Article contents
  1. What can make a tooth hurt
  2. When you should not wait
  3. Wait it out or see a dentist
  4. What the first visit involves
  5. How the tooth is treated if it is the cause
  6. How much it costs
  7. Frequently asked questions

In short

General dentist consultation

500 UAH

exam and a treatment plan with prices

Emergency care

2,000 UAH

seen without waiting in line

The exam takes

20–30 minutes

longer in complex cases

Open

9:00–21:00

every day

The cause of the pain is determined by a dentist after an exam and, if needed, an X-ray. This article is not a substitute for a consultation.

Toothache? Have a dentist look at it

General dentist consultation — 500 UAH: exam, X-ray if needed and a treatment plan with prices

Your tooth reacts to cold water. By evening the pain is throbbing, and you have to chew on the other side.

The first instinct is to wait it out: maybe it will pass on its own. Sometimes the pain really does subside. But that does not mean the problem is gone.

Pain is a signal that something is wrong with a tooth or the gums. Below: what causes it, when you should not wait, and what happens at the first appointment.

What can make a tooth hurt

Pain that feels the same can have different origins. Here are the situations people most often bring to the dentist.

Three teeth in cross-section: a cavity in the enamel, an inflamed nerve (pulpitis) and inflammation at the root tip
CavityPulpitisInflammation at the root
What you feelWho treats it
Cavity (tooth decay)sensitivity to cold, hot, sweet or sour; dark spots, food gets stuck between the teethgeneral dentist
Inflamed tooth nerve (pulpitis)sharp, throbbing or lingering pain that gets worse at night; the reaction to heat does not fadegeneral dentist, endodontist
Inflammation of the tissues around the root (apical periodontitis)it hurts to press on the tooth, and it feels as if it has "grown"; a bump or a fistula near the root, the tooth has darkenedgeneral dentist, endodontist
An old filling has lost its seal, a chip or a cracka filling fell out or is damaged, a chip, discomfort when chewinggeneral dentist
Gum inflammationgums are swollen and red, and bleed when you brushperiodontist
Inflamed gum flap over a wisdom toothpain and swelling near a wisdom tooth, bad breathoral surgeon

Tooth decay starts unnoticed, as a spot on the enamel. Without treatment it reaches the nerve, and the pain gets worse. Untreated pulpitis turns into inflammation around the root. How root canals are treated and why a microscope is used — in the article Root canal treatment under a microscope.

When you should not wait

Some signs mean you should see a dentist the same day rather than wait for a scheduled appointment.

Sound familiar?

  • sharp pain that does not go away;
  • swelling of the gums or cheek;
  • a fever;
  • pus or discharge.

An advanced infection can spread to neighboring teeth and the bone, and can even threaten your general health. The sooner you come in, the lower the risk of complications.

Wait it out or see a dentist

While a tooth hurts, it is easy to make a decision that costs more later. Here is what you should know.

Wait it outSee a dentistDentist
The pain is milddecay does not stop on its own and goes deeper, all the way to the nervegoes deeperat an early stage, a filling in a single visit is usually enoughone filling
The pain has subsidedinflammation inside the tooth does not always hurt; the infection can reach the boneinflammation remainsthe dentist will check the tooth and take an X-ray if neededexam and X-ray
Gums bleedgum inflammation can go on for years without pain, until the teeth start to loosenpainless for yearsbleeding is a reason to see a dentist, not the normtimely treatment
Pain reliefpicking medication on your ownguessworkif pain relief is needed, the dentist recommends it with your health in minddentist advises

In this article we do not recommend medications or doses. Before your visit, it is a good idea to gather any previous X-rays and recall which conditions you have and which medications you take.

Toothache? Have a dentist look at it

General dentist consultation — 500 UAH: exam, X-ray if needed and a treatment plan with prices

What the first visit involves

  1. 01

    Conversation and exam

    The dentist asks what is bothering you and when the pain started, then examines your teeth and gums and checks the gum pockets and your bite.

  2. 02

    X-ray if needed

    A periapical X-ray, a panoramic X-ray or a 3D scan (CT) shows what cannot be seen during the exam: the condition of the roots and bone, and decay between the teeth.

  3. 03

    Treatment plan

    You receive a plan listing the procedures, their order and the cost of each stage. Before treatment begins.

  4. 04

    Answers to your questions

    The dentist explains every item of the plan in plain language and helps you set priorities if your budget is limited.

  5. 05

    Treatment

    If the dentist has an opening in the schedule and you are ready, treatment can start the same day. It is done under local anesthesia.

How the tooth is treated if it is the cause

The method depends on how deep the damage goes.

What the dentist doesHow long it takes
Cavityremoves the decayed tissue, prepares the cavity and places a light-cured composite filling matched to the enamel colora 30–60 minute visit; an uncomplicated cavity is treated in a single visit in most cases
Inflammation has reached the nerve (pulpitis, apical periodontitis)under a microscope, removes the inflamed pulp, cleans and fills each canal, then restores the tooth with a filling or a crowna 1–2 hour visit; in most cases one or two visits
The root is broken down below the gumline or has a vertical crackthe tooth cannot be saved with root canal treatment; the dentist will explain the options, including extraction and subsequent restorationdepends on the plan

For 1–3 days after root canal treatment, the tooth may be sensitive — this is a normal tissue response. Read more on the Cavity treatment and Root canal treatment pages.

If the gums are the cause, treatment starts with a professional cleaning, followed by the periodontist's plan. Read more on the Gum treatment page.

How much it costs

Prices from our price list for October 2026. The dentist gives you the exact cost after the exam and puts it in the plan before treatment begins.

Consultation with a treatment plan500 UAH
Emergency care2,000 UAH
Periapical X-ray (digital sensor)200 UAH
Panoramic X-ray (OPG)400 UAH
3D scan (CT)1,200 UAH
Cosmetic restorationfrom 4,000 to 4,900 UAH
ART cosmetic restorationfrom 5,000 to 7,000 UAH
Root canal treatment with a microscope, 1-canal tooth5,500 UAH
Root canal treatment with a microscope, 2-canal tooth6,500 UAH
Root canal treatment with a microscope, 3-canal tooth8,500 UAH
Root canal treatment with a microscope, 4-canal tooth9,500 UAH
Root canal treatment with a microscope, 5-canal tooth10,000 UAH
Root canal retreatment, 1-canal tooth7,000 UAH
Simple extractionfrom 1,600 to 2,800 UAH

X-rays, if needed, are paid for separately. Treatment is priced per tooth, so the total depends on the amount of work.

You do not have to pay everything at once.

  • If your budget is limited, the dentist will help you set priorities in the treatment plan.
  • You can split the cost of treatment into monthly installments through the "Pay in installments" service from PrivatBank.
  • We also see patients under voluntary health insurance plans.

General dentist consultation

Exam, X-ray if needed and a treatment plan with prices

What to bring to the consultation

  • Previous X-rays or records, if you were treated at another dental office.
  • A list of chronic conditions, allergies and medications you take. The dentist will definitely ask about this: it affects the treatment plan.
  • Your questions. For example: what hurts and why, can the tooth be saved, what to treat first, how much the whole plan will cost.

No special preparation is needed: just brush your teeth before the visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come in with a toothache without an appointment?

Yes. Emergency care means you are seen without waiting in line. If you come in at the end of the working day, the dentist stays late to see you. Call +38 (098) 661 10 99 before your visit, and the front desk will tell you which location to come to.

The pain is gone. Do I still need to see a dentist?

Yes. Inflammation inside the tooth is not always accompanied by pain, and decay does not stop on its own. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the jawbone and lead to the loss of the tooth.

Does it hurt to treat a tooth that already hurts?

Treatment is done under local anesthesia. The dentist chooses the anesthetic individually, including when the damage to the tooth is deep.

Can a tooth be treated in a single visit?

An uncomplicated cavity is treated in a single visit in most cases. Root canal treatment usually takes one or two visits. The dentist will tell you how many you need after the exam.

Can treatment start right after the consultation?

Yes, if the dentist has an opening in the schedule and you are ready. First you will receive a treatment plan with the cost.

How often should I come for a checkup if nothing hurts?

Every 6 months. Early-stage decay often has no obvious symptoms and is only found at a checkup, when treatment is simpler.

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