Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their dentists regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions related to dental pain:

1. What do you think is causing my dental pain?
   
   
2. How will you be able to diagnose the cause of my pain?
   
   
3. If no dental cause is found, will I need to see a medical specialist? What kind?
   
   
4. How do I know if my dental pain is an emergency?
   
   
5. Are there other symptoms I should be on the lookout for that may indicate a medical emergency, such as a heart attack?
   
   
6. What kind of treatment will I need?
   
   
7. Can I prevent this from occurring in the future?  How?
   
   
8. Are there specific over-the-counter medications for pain relief you recommend for me? Are there ones I should avoid?
   
   
9. Are there dental hygiene products (e.g., toothpastes, mouth rinses) that may help me? What specific types do you recommend?
   
   
10. I just had some dental work done – is it common that the tooth still hurts? How long can I expect this pain to last?