Toothaches

What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting toothache in detail may include the following:

• Time pattern: When did the pain start?
• Quality: How severe is the pain?
• Location:
  • Where is the pain located?
  • Does it involve the jaw or ears?
  • Does it radiate to other parts of the body, such as the neck, shoulder, or arm?
• Aggravating factors:
  • What makes it worse?
  • Is it worse after cold foods or liquids?
  • Is it worse after sweet foods or liquids?
  • Is it worse after chewing?
  • Is it worse after drinking?
  • Is it worse when you touch the area?
  • Is it worse after physical exertion?
• Relieving factors:
  • What helps?
  • Is it better after you use medications? (Which ones?)
  • Is it better after you use a heating pad?
  • Is it better after you rest?
• Other: What other symptoms and factors are also present?
  • Fever?
  • Previous dental problems?
  • Nausea?
  • Sweating?
  • Indigestion?
  • Chest pain?
  • Bleeding?
• Additional important information
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Have there been any injuries?
  • When was the last checkup with the dentist?

The physical examination may include an examination of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, throat, ears, nose, throat, neck. Dental X-rays may need to be performed. Other tests may be recommended depending on the suspected cause.

The dentist will fill cavities or extract the tooth if necessary. Root canals might be performed if the problem is severe in both the primary and permanent teeth. If there is a fever or swelling of the jaw, an antibiotic will usually be prescribed.