Pain is an indication of a problem. Patients experiencing dental pain should consult their dentist as soon as possible. A dentist will most likely update a patient’s dental history, and may ask questions regarding the patient’s symptoms. Questions may include:

• When did the pain start?
• What does the pain feel like?
• How intense is the pain?
• How long does it last?
• How often does it occur?
• Where exactly is the pain?
• What, if anything, appears to trigger it?
• Is there anything that relieves the pain?
• Do other symptoms appear with the pain?
• Do you clench or grind your teeth?
• Do you have difficulty opening or closing your mouth?
• Do you hear a “clicking” sound when opening your mouth?

Patients may also wish to inform their dentist about any recent dental treatment, their current medications and specific health risks, conditions or concerns.  

A dentist will perform a visual examination of the teeth and gums to look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease. A decayed tooth may feel soft when probed with a sharp instrument. Diseased gums may be swollen and red, and may bleed easily. A dentist may check the patient’s bite – pain when biting may indicate a cracked tooth.

X-rays may be taken to confirm the presence of these problems. Areas of decay may appear darker than the rest of the tooth on an x-ray. A dentist may also examine the salivary glands or lymph nodes in a patient’s neck for inflammation or tenderness that may indicate infection or disease.