Dental Symptoms Guide: What Your Mouth Is Telling You

How to use this guide

Pick the symptom that sounds most like yours. Each guide covers what it feels like, common causes, safe self-care, warning signs and when to see a dentist.

The guides draw on sources such as NIDCR, the American Dental Association and Cleveland Clinic. No guide can replace an exam.

Is it a dental emergency?

It is a medical emergency if swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow or affects your vision, if you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher with facial swelling, if bleeding will not stop, or if you have a serious face or jaw injury. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Cleveland Clinic notes that a tooth infection can spread into the neck or to the tissue around the eye. Jaw pain with chest pain or shortness of breath can be a heart attack, so call 911.

Which dental problems need a dentist right away?

Call a dentist as soon as you can for these urgent problems:

• A knocked-out adult tooth (keep it moist in milk)
• A tooth pushed out of place, or a badly cracked tooth
• Severe tooth pain that pain medicine does not relieve
• Gum, face or jaw swelling without breathing trouble, which can signal an abscess
• A lost or broken filling or crown

Tooth pain and injuries

Toothache: common causes, safe ways to ease pain, and when to be seen.

Tooth abscess: a pocket of pus from an infection. Swelling or fever means call right away.

Broken or chipped tooth: rinse with warm water, use a cold compress, and see a dentist soon.

Sensitive teeth: a twinge with hot or cold, often from worn enamel or exposed roots.

Wisdom tooth pain: teeth that cannot come in fully can trap bacteria and become infected.

Gum problems

Bleeding gums: often an early sign of gum disease, which can usually be reversed early.

Swollen gums: can point to gum disease, while swelling near one tooth can signal an abscess.

Loose adult tooth: never typical. Gum disease is the most common cause.

Mouth, breath, bite and jaw

Dry mouth: too little saliva, most often from medicines. It raises cavity risk.

Bad breath: usually mouth bacteria, though dry mouth and health conditions can play a part.

Crooked teeth: often inherited and harder to clean. Braces and clear aligners can help.

Missing teeth: gaps let nearby teeth drift. Implants, bridges and dentures can fill them.

Jaw pain and TMJ: aching, clicking or stiffness that often eases with self-care.

When should you call us?

Call when a symptom lasts, keeps coming back, or worries you. Our emergency dental care page explains urgent visits.

Golden Triangle Dentistry has cared for Murrieta families since 1991, with the same caring team, office and phone number: (951) 677-1054. You can also request an appointment or visit our contact page.

Questions & answers

Common questions