Guide to Dental Symptoms

Symptom: Momentary sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Possible problem: If this discomfort lasts only a few moments, sensitivity to hot and cold foods generally does not signal a serious problem. The sensitivity may be caused by a small area of decay, a loose filling, or by gingival (gum) recession that exposes a small area of the root surface.

What to do: Try using toothpastes made for sensitive teeth. Attempt to direct the bristles of a soft or medium bristle toothbrush toward the juncture of the gingiva and the tooth. Wiggle the bristles gently back and forth. Brushing in a saw-like manner can lacerate your soft tissue and wear away exposed root surfaces. If this is unsuccessful, see your general dentist.

Possible problem: Dental work may inflame the pulp inside the tooth causing temporary sensitivity.

What to do: You may wish to wait for a week or two before revisiting your dentist, especially if the pain is subsiding. If the pain worsens, see your dentist immediately.

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 your tooth. There may also be damage to the pulp inside the tooth.

What to do: See a dentist for evaluation. If the problem is pulpal damage, your dentist may send you to an endodontist. Endodontists are dentists who specialize in pulp-related disorders. Your endodontist will perform a procedure that cleans out the damaged pulp and fills and seals the remaining space. This procedure is commonly called a root canal.

Possible problem: This probably means the pulp has been damaged by deep decay, an extensive restoration or trauma such as a cracked tooth.

What to do: See your dentist or 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 an infection in the surrounding gingival tissue and bone.

What to do: See your endodontist for evaluation and treatment to relieve the pain and save the tooth.

Symptom: Dull ache and pressure in several upper teeth and the upper jaw.

Possible problem: The pain of an acute sinusitis (sinus headache) or is often felt in the upper teeth and/or jaw. Bruxism (grinding of teeth) can also cause this type of ache.

What to do: For sinus headache, see your physician. For bruxism, consult your dentist. If pain is severe and chronic, see your endodontist for further evaluation.