Disclaimer

Information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only. Your specific symptoms may require different actions other that what is provided in this chart. It should not be a substitute for professional Medical and Dental attention, diagnosis, and treatment.

If you are experiencing tooth pain call Endodontics Office in Augusta Phone Number (706) 800-9118 to make an appointment with Dr. Ngoh

Symptoms Possible Problem Action
Constant Pain and Pressure, gum swelling, sensitivity to touch. Abscessed tooth causing gum and bone to become infected. Endodontic evaluation and treatment to relieve the pain and save the tooth.
Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw. Sinus headache or grinding of teeth can cause these symptoms. See your Dentist for relief of teeth grinding. Root canal treatment may be required for relief of severe or chronic pain.
Chronic Pain in head, neck or ear. Pulp-damaged teeth may be the cause of the pain in the head and neck. Root canal treatment may be required. If the problem is not related to your tooth, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist.
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods after dental treatment. Momentary discomfort to hot and cold sensations does not signal a serious problem. This may be caused by a loose filling or gum recession. Use desensitizing toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth and brush appropriately.
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods after dental treatment. Dental work may inflame pulp or nerves. Wait 4-6 weeks. If the pain continues, see your general dentist.
Sharp pain when biting down on food. Decay, loose filling, or a crack in the tooth. Possible pulp damage. See your Dentist for evaluation. If the problem is pulp related, your dentist may refer you to our practice.
Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods. Pulp damage by deep decay or trauma. Root canal treatment will be required if you wish to save your tooth.
Momentary sensitivity to hot or cold foods without recent dental work. If the discomfort lasts a fleeting moment to hot and cold foods it may not signal a problem. Unfortunately, it sometimes is a sign of another problem. The sensitivity may be caused by a loose filling, decay, crack/fracture in the tooth, or by minimal gum recession which exposes small areas of the root surface. 1. Have the tooth/area checked by your Dentist or Endodontist. It may be nothing important, but consider it could be an early indicator of a problem.

2. Treatment may be needed such as replacement of a loose filling, restoration, or some type of coverage over an exposed root.

3. In some cases, changing your brushing techniques or switching to toothpaste for sensitive teeth may decrease the problem.

Lingering or prolonged sensitivity/awareness to hot or cold foods without recent dental work. This probably means the pulp has been irreversibly damaged by deep decay, crack/fracture, periodontal disease or trauma. See your Dentist or Endodontist. You’re probably going to need Root Canal Therapy (RCT) to maintain your tooth. Waiting may cause the tooth to be unrepairable or unsalvageable so do it now!
Gumboil that sprouts and may become tender by then pops and goes away. Either a periodontal (gum) abscess or an endodontic abscess. See your dentist, Periodontist, or Endodontist for diagnosis and treatment. If this is caused by an endodontic problem, endodontic therapy will be needed to maintain the tooth.
Sharp pain when I bite my teeth together after dental treatment including Root Canal Therapy Your filling maybe high in occlusion. See your Dentist or Endodontist to adjust the filling.
A tooth hurts when I tap on it with my finger from the side. If this is your only symptom, there are a variety of reasons this might be occurring. There are potentially several causes of this. See your dentist or Endodontist for an evaluation of the tooth.
Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw. The pain of a sinus problem such as sinusitis or infection of the sinuses is often felt in the face and teeth. Grinding of the teeth, a condition known as bruxism, can also cause this type of ache. If your sinuses seem to be the problem, see your physician. If your muscles around your face or your TMJ (joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull) is sore, see your dentist.
Chronic pain in head, neck, or ear. Sometimes pulp-damaged teeth cause pain in other parts of the head and neck, but other dental or medical problems may be responsible. See your Endodontist for evaluation. If the problem is not related to the tooth, your Endodontist will refer you to an appropriate dental specialist or a physician.
Touching a specific spot in or near your mouth triggers a sharp, jabbing pain lasting a few seconds. Sometimes talking my also cause this to occur. Possible a neurological condition know as Trigeminal Neuralgia See your dentist or Endodontist to rule out a possible dental cause. You will most likely be referred to a dentist that treats this type of pain or a physician such as a neurologist. Neurologists specialize in treatment of nerve problems.