Guide to Diagnosing Tooth Pain

Symptom: Momentary sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Possible Problem

If the discomfort lasts only moments, sensitivity to hot and cold foods generally does not signal a problem. The sensitivity may be caused by a loose filling or by minimal gum recession that exposes small areas of the root surface.

What To Do

Try using toothpastes made for sensitive teeth such as Sensodyne Toothpaste. Using your finger or Q-tip, gently apply the Sensodyne toothpaste to the exposed root surface three times per day. Leave a coating on the exposed root surface. If this is unsuccessful, see your dentist.

 

Symptom: Sensitivity to hot or cold foods after dental treatment

Possible Problem

Dental work may inflame the pulp, inside the tooth, causing temporary sensitivity.

What To Do

Wait four to six weeks. If the pain persists or worsens, see your dentist.

 

Symptom: Sharp pain when biting down on food

Possible Problem

There are several possible causes of this type of pain: decay, a loose filling, or a crack in the tooth. There may be damage to the pulp tissue inside the tooth.

What To Do

See your dentist for evaluation. If the problem is a cracked tooth, your dentist may send you to an endodontist. Cracked tooth pain comes from damage to the inner soft tissue of the tooth, the pulp. Endodontists are dentists who specialize in pulp-related procedures. Endodontic treatment, also known as root canal treatment, can relieve that pain.

 

Symptom: Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods

Possible Problem

This probably means the pulp has been damaged by deep decay or physical trauma.

What To Do

See your endodontist to save the tooth with root canal treatment.

 

Symptom: Constant and severe pain and pressure, swelling of gum, and sensitivity to touch

Possible Problem

A tooth may have become abscessed, causing the surrounding bone to become infected.

What To Do

See you endodontist for evaluation and treatment to relieve the pain and save the tooth. Take over-the-counter analgesics until you see the endodontist.

 

Symptom: Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw

Possible Problem

The pain of a sinus headache is often felt in the face and teeth. Grinding or clenching of the teeth, a condition known as bruxism, can also cause this type of ache.

What To Do

For sinus headache, try over-the-counter analgesics or sinus medicine. For bruxism, consult your dentist. If pain is severe and chronic, see your physician or endodontist for evaluation.

 

Symptom: Chronic pain in head, neck, or ear

Possible Problem

Sometimes pulp-damaged teeth cause pain in other parts of the head and neck, referred pain, but other dental or medical problems may be responsible.

What To Do

See your endodontist for evaluation. If the problem is not related to the tooth, your endodontist will refer you to an appropriate dental specialist or a physician.

 

Tips For Relieving Dental Pain

• Don't ignore minor or transient pain. It may be a sign of a problem that can be treated before a serious toothache develops. Sharp pain on biting may be a symptom of a cracked or loose filling, a crack in a tooth or decay.
• A more severe toothache may mean the tooth's soft inner tissue, called the pulp, is damaged as a result of deep decay or trauma. A root canal procedure can relieve the pain and save the tooth by removing the pulp and cleaning, filling and sealing the canals. The tooth is then restored with a crown or other restoration.
• Don't suffer in silence if you do develop a severe toothache at an inopportune time. Endodontists provide emergency care and will often see patients in pain on short notice. Often they can assess the situation by phone and prescribe medication to control the pain until treatment can be provided. Toothaches seem to hurt more at night because the blood goes to your head when you lie down. Elevating your head may help ease the pain.
• If you're afraid of dental work, talk to your dentist about your fears. This can help ease anxiety, and studies show that relaxed patients feel less pain. Tell the dentist if you're afraid of having an anesthetic. When anesthetic is administered slowly after the area is numbed with a topical anesthetic, patients usually feel little or no pain. If you feel pain during treatment, tell the dentist. In most cases, something can be done to alleviate any discomfort.
• Tooth pain doesn't always signal a dental problem. Several conditions including sinus infections and neurological disorders can cause toothaches. A common sinus condition called acute maxillary sinusitus (AMS) is often mistaken for a tooth problem and can be treated with medications, including antibiotics. Indications that the pain may be caused by AMS include pain that increases when you bend over, a recent cold and recent air travel.

Endodontists have special training and expertise in diagnosing and treating oral and facial pain, and often see patients with AMS and other non-dental pain. If you have pain that a dentist is unable to diagnose, or that persists after a dental procedure, ask about referral to an endodontist. The endodontist will assess the problem and, if necessary, direct you to an ear, nose and throat specialist, neurologist or other doctor who can help you.

Take care of your teeth. Brush, floss and get regular check-ups. It's the best way to avoid dental pain and to keep your teeth for a lifetime.