Toothache and Gum Problems | Hartford Hospital (2023)

Do you have a toothache or a problem with your gums?

How old are you?

Are you male or female?

Do you have an injury to your mouth or teeth?

In some cases, a heart attack may cause a strange feeling in part of the face, such as the jaw.

Do you have a toothache?

How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?

Has the pain lasted for more than 2 days?

Is the toothache disrupting your sleep or other activities?

Do you have swelling or pain in your face?

Do you think you may have a fever?

"Hardware" in the facial area includes things like cochlear implants or any plates under the skin, such as those used if the bones in the face are broken.

Do you have problems with your gums?

Do you have a red, swollen, painful bump on your gum next to a sore tooth?

Do you have new bleeding from your gums?

Do you take a medicine that affects the blood's ability to clot?

This may include blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can cause bleeding and can make it harder to control bleeding.

Are any of your teeth sensitive to heat, cold, sweet or sour things, or air?

Is the sensitivity problem moderate to severe?

Has the sensitivity problem lasted more than a week?

Do you think that a medicine could be causing the problem?

Are dentures or any other type of dental device (like a crown or filling, for instance) causing pain or discomfort?

Have you had a toothache or gum problems for more than 2 weeks?

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

• Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
• Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
• Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
• Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
• Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Try Home Treatment

You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.

Pain in adults and older children

• Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain.
• Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days. Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's there.
• Mild pain (1 to 4): You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.

Pain in children under 3 years

It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in.

• Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that the baby cannot sleep, cannot get comfortable, and cries constantly no matter what you do. The baby may kick, make fists, or grimace.
• Moderate pain (5 to 7): The baby is very fussy, clings to you a lot, and may have trouble sleeping but responds when you try to comfort him or her.
• Mild pain (1 to 4): The baby is a little fussy and clings to you a little but responds when you try to comfort him or her.

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause mouth problems. A few examples are:

• Antibiotics.
• Some seizure medicines.
• Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy).
• Steroid medicines.
• Medicines used after organ transplant.

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:

• Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
• Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
• Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
• Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
• Medicines taken after organ transplant.
• Not having a spleen.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include:

• Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
• Sweating.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
• Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.
• A fast or irregular heartbeat.

For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

Seek Care Today

Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.

Make an Appointment

Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

Seek Care Now

Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

Call 911 Now

Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Call 911 or other emergency services now.