My tooth is swollen and hurts
A painful swollen tooth can indicate inflammation or infection in the pulp, root tissues, or surrounding gum and needs prompt dental assessment.
What is the direct answer?
A painful swollen tooth can indicate inflammation or infection in the pulp, root tissues, or surrounding gum and needs prompt dental assessment.
What does this question mean?
Decay, a crack, trauma, or gum disease can let bacteria reach the pulp and extend through the root into surrounding tissue.
What can you do next?
Keep the area clean, do not squeeze the swelling or place chemicals on it, and use suitable medicine only as directed.
When should you seek dental care?
Get urgent help if swelling affects breathing, swallowing, speaking, or mouth opening, or if fever and marked illness develop.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the tooth can be restored and whether drainage, root-canal treatment, or extraction is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can this be managed at home?
Home care may reduce irritation or symptoms, but it cannot diagnose or repair a structural dental problem.
What happens at the appointment?
The dentist reviews the history, examines the mouth, and recommends tests or treatment based on the findings.