Dental question about taxonomy:symptom:tooth-pain

Tooth pain can come from decay, a cracked tooth, gum disease, trauma, or inflammation inside the tooth.

Tooth pain is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. The painful structure may be enamel, dentine, the pulp inside the tooth, the periodontal ligament around its root, or nearby gum and bone.

Rinse gently with lukewarm water, clean around the tooth, avoid very hot or cold foods, and use an over-the-counter pain medicine only as directed on its label. Do not place aspirin on the gum.

Seek prompt dental care when pain persists, returns, interrupts sleep, or follows an injury. Facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or inability to open the mouth needs urgent assessment.

Ask which tissue is causing the pain, whether an examination and dental radiograph are needed, and whether the tooth needs a filling, root canal treatment, extraction, or gum care.