Dental question about taxonomy:symptom:tooth-pain

Tooth pain can come from decay, a crack, inflamed pulp, gum disease, trauma, or referred pain and needs a focused examination.

The right response depends on the tissue involved and whether the problem is local or linked to a wider health issue.

Pain may arise from decay, pulp inflammation, a crack, gum disease, trauma, or referred pain. Cold, heat, sweets, biting, swelling, and duration help locate the source.

A clinical examination separates a surface change from disease beneath the gum, inside a tooth, or elsewhere in the mouth.

Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on it, and use medicine only as directed on its label or by a clinician. Do not place aspirin on the gum.

Record triggers and changes so the clinician can match the symptom with the examination.

Get urgent care for facial swelling, fever, pus, worsening pain, or difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing.

Do not delay when symptoms are worsening or interfering with eating, sleeping, or normal mouth function.

Ask whether pulp testing, bite testing, periodontal probing, or a focused radiograph is needed and which treatment addresses the cause.

Ask what you can do between visits and how the result will be checked.