When Should You See a Dentist?

A tooth can hurt for several different reasons. A piece of food caught between teeth may cause brief discomfort. A cavity, a crack or an infection can cause pain that returns or grows worse. The location and intensity of the pain alone cannot tell you which treatment you need; a dental examination is the useful next step.

At Mr Dentist in Undri, we encourage you to describe when the pain started, whether it wakes you up, what makes it worse and whether you have noticed swelling. These details help the dentist examine the right area and explain the options.

When should you book a dental visit?

Arrange an appointment if your toothache lasts more than a day or two, keeps coming back, hurts when you bite, or comes with a bad taste, a swollen gum or sensitivity that lingers after a hot or cold drink. Even if the pain temporarily eases, the underlying problem may still need treatment.

An examination may include a look at the tooth and gums and, when appropriate, an X-ray. Depending on the cause, the recommendation might be a filling, care for the gums, treatment of a cracked tooth, root canal treatment or another option. A toothache does not automatically mean you need a root canal.

What if your face or gum is swollen?

Swelling with dental pain can be a sign of infection. Contact a dentist promptly, especially if the swelling is increasing or you feel feverish. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not wait for a routine appointment in that situation.

Antibiotics are not a substitute for assessing and treating the source of a dental infection. A dentist needs to decide what care is appropriate for your individual case.

What can you do while arranging an appointment?

Keep the area clean and avoid chewing on the painful side if chewing makes it worse. If food seems to be trapped between teeth, gently clean between them. You can ask a pharmacist about an appropriate over-the-counter pain medicine, taking your own medical conditions and other medicines into account. Do not put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum.

If a tooth has broken after an injury, tell the clinic when you contact them. That information may change how soon you should be assessed.

Will the tooth need to be removed?

Often, the first question is whether the tooth can be saved. The answer depends on what the dentist finds: the amount of healthy tooth remaining, the condition of the roots and surrounding tissues, and whether a lasting restoration is possible. Root canal treatment may be considered for an infected tooth that is still suitable to restore; extraction may be necessary in other cases.

Mr Dentist is at Shop 101, Runwal Diamond Mall, NIBM Road, Palace Orchard, Undri, Pune 411060. If you have persistent tooth pain, contact the clinic and describe your symptoms so the team can guide you on arranging an assessment. Availability and urgency must be confirmed directly with the clinic.

Clinical source notes for reviewer (remove or keep as an editorial reference): NHS toothache guidance; NHS dental abscess guidance; ADA guidance on dental emergencies; ADA guidance on antibiotics for pain and swelling.