Tooth pain has a way of making everything else feel impossible. You can’t focus at work, you can’t enjoy dinner, and you definitely can’t ignore it.
If you’re in Chapel Hill and dealing with a toothache, you’re not alone. Most tooth pain has a clear cause and a fix that works. At Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White have spent years helping local patients relieve pain and return to their lives.
Let’s walk through the most common causes of tooth pain and exactly how we treat them.
Tooth Decay (Cavities)
This is the usual suspect. Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and produce acid. That acid eats through your enamel. Once it reaches the softer dentin beneath, you start feeling it.
You might notice pain when you drink something cold, sip hot coffee, or eat something sweet.
How we fix it: Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White will take a quick look with digital X-rays and remove the decayed part of your tooth. Then they’ll fill it with a tooth-colored composite resin. Most patients leave with their pain gone the same day.
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Bleeding gums when you brush? That’s not normal. That’s the first sign of gum disease, called gingivitis. Left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, in which your gums pull away from your teeth, exposing sensitive tooth roots.
That exposure can cause a dull, aching pain or sharp sensitivity to cold.
How we fix it: We start with a professional cleaning. For deeper issues, we offer scaling and root planing. It’s a deep clean that removes bacteria below the gum line. We also use a LiteTouch dental laser in our Chapel Hill office. It’s less invasive than traditional gum surgery, with less bleeding and faster healing.
Dental Abscess (Serious Infection)
This one you can’t ignore. An abscess is an infection at the root of your tooth. It often causes throbbing pain that doesn’t stop, swelling in your face or cheek, and sometimes a bad taste in your mouth from draining pus.
This is serious. If the infection spreads, it can affect your overall health.
How we fix it: Dr. Furgurson performs root canal therapy right here in our office. He removes the infected pulp, cleans and seals the inside of the tooth, and usually places a crown to protect it. The goal is simple: save your natural tooth and stop the pain.
Chipped, Cracked, or Damaged Teeth
A fall, a sports injury, or even biting down on something hard can crack a tooth. Sometimes you can see the damage. Other times, the crack is so small it’s invisible. But you’ll feel it when you chew or when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold.
How we fix it:
- Minor chip: Tooth bonding with a tooth-colored resin. One visit, no numbness needed.
- Larger crack or damage: A custom dental crown that covers and protects the whole tooth.
- Crack that reaches the pulp: Root canal therapy plus a crown.
Dr. Furgurson is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI). That means hundreds of hours of advanced training. You’re in experienced hands.
Tooth Sensitivity (No Cavity, Just Pain)
Does a sip of iced tea or a bite of ice cream make you wince? That’s sensitivity. It happens when your enamel wears down or your gums recede, exposing the dentin underneath.
How we fix it: Sometimes simple changes help, like switching to a desensitizing toothpaste. In our office, we can also apply fluoride gel or varnish to strengthen your enamel. For sensitivity from gum recession, we’ll talk about protecting the exposed roots.
When Should You Call a Dentist in Chapel Hill?
Don’t wait until the pain is unbearable. Call if you have:
- Pain that lasts more than a day or two
- Throbbing pain that keeps you awake at night
- Swelling in your gums or face
- A fever along with tooth pain
- Pain when you bite down
New patients can call us at 919-736-6175. We’re located at 501 Eastowne Dr STE 150, right off I-40 and 15-501 near Durham. We serve Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, and all across the Triangle.
Why Trust Us With Your Tooth Pain?
Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White don’t just treat teeth. Your dentists in Chapel Hill listen. Your first visit is 90 minutes, which is long enough to tour the office, meet the team, and actually talk through what’s bothering you.
And they bring serious credentials:
- Dr. Furgurson is a Fellow of the AGD (only a small percentage of dentists earn this)
- He’s also a Fellow of the ICOI for dental implants
- Dr. White is an adjunct associate professor at the UNC School of Dentistry
- Both take over 100 hours of continuing education every year
You don’t have to live with tooth pain. Call 919-736-6175 or request an appointment online. Let’s figure out what’s wrong and fix it.