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Question and answer

Dental question about observed-topic:inflamed-molar

An inflamed molar may cause throbbing pain, sensitivity, or swelling and needs prompt assessment to find the source.

The short answer

An inflamed molar may cause throbbing pain, sensitivity, or swelling and needs prompt assessment to find the source. Inflammation around a molar can come from decay reaching the pulp, a cracked tooth, gum infection, or pressure around a partly erupted tooth.

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What is the direct answer?

What does this question mean?

Inflammation around a molar can come from decay reaching the pulp, a cracked tooth, gum infection, or pressure around a partly erupted tooth.

What can you do next?

Pain relief can include a cool compress and labeled analgesics, but treatment may require removing decay, draining infection, root canal treatment, or extraction.

When should you seek dental care?

Arrange prompt dental care, especially for facial swelling, fever, pus, difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing.

What should you ask the dentist?

Ask whether the pulp, root, gum, crack, or wisdom tooth is involved and whether an X-ray, drainage, root canal, or extraction is needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can this problem be treated at home?

Pain relief can include a cool compress and labeled analgesics, but treatment may require removing decay, draining infection, root canal treatment, or extraction.

What will the dentist check?

Ask whether the pulp, root, gum, crack, or wisdom tooth is involved and whether an X-ray, drainage, root canal, or extraction is needed.