Tooth pain, bleeding gums, a sore that won't heal. Your body sends signals when something is wrong. This guide helps you read them, decide how urgent they are, and figure out your next step.
Not sure? Take the free symptom quiz.
Your tooth hurts. You search "why does my tooth hurt" and find everything from "it's nothing" to "you need a root canal." Some articles say wait it out. Others say go to the ER. None of them know your situation.
That confusion is expensive. People either panic and rush to the ER for something a regular dentist could handle, or they wait too long and a $200 filling turns into a $2,000 crown. You deserve a clearer starting point.
Pick the category that matches what you're feeling. Each symptom page explains what it could mean, what to try at home, and when it's time to call a dentist.
Sharp, throbbing, or dull pain in a tooth. Pain when biting, chewing, or drinking something cold or hot.
Searches: 500K+/month combined
People also search:
Bleeding when you brush, red or swollen gums, gums pulling away from teeth, or tenderness around one tooth.
Searches: 350K+/month combined
People also search:
Sores that won't heal, white or red patches, bumps on your tongue, or painful ulcers inside your cheeks or lips.
Searches: 200K+/month combined
People also search:
Breath that stays bad no matter how much you brush, or a metallic or sour taste that won't go away.
Searches: 250K+/month combined
People also search:
Pain on one side of your jaw, clicking or popping when you open your mouth, headaches from clenching, or facial swelling.
Searches: 180K+/month combined
People also search:
Teeth that look darker or yellow, a tooth that feels loose, gaps that weren't there before, or a bite that feels off.
Searches: 150K+/month combined
People also search:
DentaSmart won't replace your dentist. But it can help you figure out what's going on before you make that call.
Take a photo of the area that's bothering you, or answer a few quick questions about your symptoms. Takes about 2 minutes.
DentaSmart tells you what it sees, what it could mean, and how urgent it looks. No medical jargon. No scare tactics. Just plain English.
Whether it's a home remedy, a regular dental visit, or something more urgent, you'll know exactly what to do next and why.
Each page explains what the symptom means, common causes, home care tips, and when to see a dentist.
Yep, that's your tooth trying to tell you something isn't right. Let's figure out what's going on and what to do about it.
Read moreSeeing a little pink on your toothbrush isn't normal. It's your body's way of telling you to pay attention to your gums. Here's what you need to know.
Read moreThat sharp zing you get from cold or hot drinks isn't normal, but you don't have to live with it. Here’s what’s going on and how to make it stop.
Read moreA sore jaw can mess with your eating, sleeping, and just about everything else. Figuring out the cause is the first step to feeling better.
Read moreBad breath is embarrassing. It can make you feel alone. But figuring out the cause is the first step to getting rid of it for good.
Read moreSure, they might seem like no big deal, but puffy or tender gums are often your body's first signal that something's up.
Read moreRemember losing teeth as a kid? This isn't like that. A loose tooth in an adult is a signal that something's wrong. Let's figure out what's going on.
Read moreYou'd be surprised what saliva does. When it's gone, your teeth are left without their natural bodyguard.
Read moreSome stains are just on the surface. Others are a sign of something more. Here's how you can figure out what's what.
Read moreFiguring out if that spot in your mouth is just a canker sore or something more serious can save you a lot of stress. And it helps you know when to act.
Read moreA little blood on your toothbrush might seem harmless, but it's your mouth's way of telling you something needs to change.
Read moreThose little sores in your mouth can be a real pain. Let's figure out what's going on and how to get you smiling again.
Read moreThose little white spots in your mouth can be a real pain. Let's figure out what they are and how to get rid of them.
Read moreOuch! A sore tongue can be a real pain. Let's figure out what's going on and how to get some relief.
Read moreEver find yourself accidentally chomping on the inside of your cheek? You're not alone, and we've got answers.
Read moreEver wake up with a dull headache or a mysteriously sore jaw? You might be one of the millions of people who grind their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Don't worry, you're not alone, and we can get to the bottom of it.
Read moreThat annoying click or pop in your jaw might be more than just a weird noise. Let's figure out what's going on.
Read moreThat annoying, tickling sensation in your gums is more than just a bother. It's your body telling you something is up. Let's get to the bottom of it.
Read moreEver look in the mirror and wonder why your smile isn't as bright as it used to be? You're not alone.
Read moreThat protective outer layer on your teeth is tougher than bone, but it's not invincible. Let's talk about what happens when it starts to wear away.
Read moreEver looked in the mirror and thought one of your teeth looks a bit longer than the others? You might be seeing an exposed tooth root.
Read moreTired of your gums feeling sore and swollen? Let's figure out what's going on and how you can get some relief.
Read moreThat strange, coppery taste in your mouth isn't just in your head. Let's figure out what's causing it and how to get rid of it.
Read moreWondering why the glands in your neck are tender and swollen? It could be your teeth.
Read moreA swollen face can be alarming, but it's often your body's way of signaling a dental problem that needs attention.
Read moreEver look in the mirror and feel like your teeth have moved? You're not imagining it. Let's talk about why your smile might be changing.
Read moreFeeling like your teeth don't fit together like they used to? You're not imagining it. Let's figure out what's going on with your bite.
Read moreEver get that weird pins-and-needles feeling in your mouth? You're not alone. Let's figure out what's going on.
Read moreTender, sore gums can be a real pain. Let's figure out what's going on and how you can get back to smiling comfortably.
Read moreThat clicking, popping, or locking in your jaw might be more than just a weird quirk. It could be a sign of TMJ disorder.
Read moreWorried about your gums? Let's talk about periodontal disease and what you can do about it.
Read morePuffy, bleeding gums are a classic sign of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Don't worry, it's reversible, and we'll show you how.
Read moreEver wondered what's really going on when your dentist says you have 'caries'? Let's break down what tooth decay is and how you can stop it in its tracks.
Read moreEver feel a jolt of pain when you drink something cold or bite into candy? You're not alone, and you don't have to just live with it.
Read moreEver notice weird white spots in your mouth that won't brush away? It might be oral thrush, a common and treatable fungal infection.
Read moreThose painful little sores inside your mouth have a name: aphthous ulcers. Let's talk about what they are and how to deal with them.
Read moreFinding white patches in your mouth can be unsettling. Here’s what you need to know about leukoplakia and what to do next.
Read moreEver noticed strange white, lacy-looking patches inside your cheeks or on your tongue? It can be a little alarming, but it might be a common condition called oral lichen planus.
Read morePain when biting usually points to a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or a filling that sits too high. Sometimes it's an infection at the root. If the pain happens every time you chew, see a dentist within a few days. In the meantime, chew on the other side and avoid very hard foods.
Occasional bleeding can happen if you just started flossing or switched to a harder toothbrush. But if your gums bleed every time you brush, that's usually gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. The good news: gingivitis is reversible with better brushing, daily flossing, and a dental cleaning.
Go to the ER if you have facial swelling that's spreading toward your eye or throat, a fever over 101F with tooth pain, or trouble breathing or swallowing. For severe tooth pain without those signs, an emergency dentist is usually faster and cheaper than the ER.
Cold sensitivity often means your enamel has worn thin or your gums have pulled back, exposing the softer layer underneath. Whitening products, acidic foods, and grinding your teeth at night can all cause it. Try a sensitivity toothpaste for two weeks. If it doesn't improve, see your dentist.
Some symptoms respond to home care. Saltwater rinses help with mild gum swelling. Sensitivity toothpaste can reduce cold sensitivity. Over-the-counter pain relievers work for mild toothaches. But home care is a bridge, not a fix. If any symptom lasts more than a week or gets worse, you need a dentist.
Three signs that something needs urgent attention: pain that wakes you up at night, swelling in your face or jaw, and any symptom that's getting worse instead of better. When in doubt, DentaSmart's free symptom quiz can help you figure out how urgent it is.