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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you're experiencing pain or sensitivity in your teeth, make an appointment with your dentist. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your dentist.
What you can do
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking. Be sure to let your dentist know if you have any allergies to medications or if you've ever had a bad reaction to local anesthetics in the past.
- Write down questions to ask your dentist.
Some basic questions to ask your dentist include:
- Do I have a simple cavity, or do I need a root canal?
- How many visits will it take to treat this tooth?
- Will the pain go away after today?
- What can I take to help lessen the pain?
- How long should I wait before I eat or drink after this procedure?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
- What can I do differently to prevent decay?
What to expect from your doctor
Your dentist may ask:
- Do extremes in temperature cause you pain?
- Does pressure make your pain worse?
- Do you floss regularly?
- How often do you brush your teeth?
- Do you eat a lot of sweets or drink sugary beverages?
What you can do in the meantime
If cavities and tooth decay are causing pain, sensitivity or discomfort, the first thing to do is make an appointment with your dentist. While you're waiting for your appointment, some steps you can take at home to control your pain include:
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, if your doctor has said it's OK for you
- Using an over-the-counter anesthetic specifically designed to soothe painful teeth
- Thoroughly cleaning all parts of your mouth and teeth — don't avoid painful areas
- Using warm water to brush your teeth
- Using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth
- Avoiding foods or beverages that are hot, cold or sweet enough to trigger pain
- Gonsalves W. Oral health. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill/Lange; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3036775. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Durso SC. Oral manifestations of disease. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2862909. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Plaque: What it is and how to get rid of it. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0C900F9D-C582-4609-A62C-CF4AB53E84A0/0/Plaque_brochure.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Seal out tooth decay. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/SealOutToothDecay.htm. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Fact sheet: Tooth decay. Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.agd.org/public/OralHealthFacts/files/pdfgenerator.aspx?pdf=FS_ToothDecay.pdf&id=. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Eating habits that can harm teeth. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2002;133:1739.
- The oral health of older Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/adult_older.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Kagihara LE. Assessment, management, and prevention of early childhood caries. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2009;21:1.
- Caries. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec08/ch095/ch095b.html. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Oral health: Preventing cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/doh.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Dental amalgam use and benefits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/amalgam.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
