| SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS | SELF-CARE | ||
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| 1. Is the pain specific to one tooth? |  |
Go to Question 5 | ||
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| 2. Did you have an injury that knocked out a tooth? |  |
You have TOOTH LOSS. |  |
DENTAL
EMERGENCY
Keep the tooth moist. It's best to keep the tooth in your mouth until you get to the dentist or emergency room. Click here to read about pain management. |
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| 3. Have you broken or chipped a tooth, or is the tooth loose in its socket? | |
Your pain may be from a fractured, cracked or loose tooth.
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Save any pieces of the tooth, wrap them in a cool, moist cloth and make arrangements to see your dentist as soon
as possible. Click here to read about pain management
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| 4. Do you feel pain when eating cold foods or liquids, or whenever you eat? | |
Your pain may be from a CAVITY.
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See your dentist. Proper brushing and flossing along with fluoride rinses and coatings, as suggested by your dentist,
may prevent tooth decay. Click here to read about pain management
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| *5. Do you have redness or swelling surrounding one tooth, in the gums or even in your face? | |
This may represent a dentalABSCESS or an INFECTION in a tooth, gums or other tissues.
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URGENT
See your dentist promptly. Click here to read about pain management
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| 6. Do you have redness and swelling in large areas of the gums, or is the skin inside your mouth peeling? | |
These symptoms
represent infections such as ULCERATION, GINGIVITIS or PERIODONTITIS.
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Consult your dentist or doctor right away.
Click here to read about pain management
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| 7. Do you have pain near the ear, headaches, or a cracking sound when you bite? | |
Your pain
may be from TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) syndrome.
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Try
relaxing your jaw when you are tense or nervous. Stop chewing gum. Try a mild anti-inflammatory medicine. If you don't get better,
see your dentist.
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| For more information, please contact the surgery. If you think the problem is serious, call right away. |