Most people arrive knowing a symptom, not a procedure. This page starts from what you can actually observe and points to the page that explains it. It cannot diagnose you — only an examination can do that — but it can get you to the right appointment.
Go to an emergency room or call 911 now
These are medical emergencies, not dental appointments. Do not use the appointment form for them.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling spreading toward the eye or the neck
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Serious facial injury or a suspected fracture
- Feeling seriously unwell alongside dental swelling
Pain
The pattern of the pain narrows the cause more than its severity does.
- Sharp with cold, stopping quickly — tooth pain evaluation
- Lingering ache after hot or cold — root canal pathway
- Pain on biting or releasing — tooth pain, possible crack
- Constant throbbing, worse lying down — dental infection
- Pain behind the last molar — wisdom teeth
- Jaw ache, worse on waking — teeth grinding or jaw pain
Damage and loss
What matters is how deep the damage goes, which is not always visible.
- Chipped or broken tooth — broken tooth care
- Tooth knocked out — knocked-out tooth, act immediately
- Tooth loosened or moved by a blow — dental trauma
- Crown or filling came out — lost crown or filling
- Missing tooth you want replaced — dental implants
Gums and soft tissue
Gum problems are usually painless until they are advanced, which is why the early signs matter.
- Bleeding when brushing — gum care
- Gums receding, teeth looking longer — gum care
- Swelling or a spot on the gum — dental infection
- An ulcer that has not healed in three weeks — oral cancer screening
- Persistent bad breath or taste — gum care
Appearance and function
These are not urgent, and they are still worth an appointment.
- Teeth darker than you would like — teeth whitening
- Chipped or uneven front teeth — cosmetic bonding
- Crowded or shifting teeth — adult orthodontics
- A denture that no longer fits — dentures
- Difficulty chewing — restorative dentistry
- Snoring or waking unrefreshed — sleep apnea appliances
Common questions
What people ask before scheduling
Can this page tell me what is wrong?
No, and be wary of anything that claims it can. Dental symptoms overlap heavily — the same pain can come from decay, a crack, an exposed root, infection or the jaw joint. This page points you to the right appointment; the examination establishes the cause.
My pain stopped. Do I still need to be seen?
Yes. Pain stopping does not reliably mean the problem stopped. When a nerve dies the pain often disappears while infection continues quietly.
I have several symptoms. Which do I choose?
Pick the one that concerns you most and mention the others in follow-up, so enough appointment time is set aside rather than the scope being discovered on the day.
How urgent is swelling?
Swelling always warrants prompt attention. Swelling that is spreading, affecting your eye or neck, or accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency room matter immediately.
What if my symptom is not listed?
Choose 'Not sure where to start' when you request an appointment and describe it in your own words. The categories exist to direct the conversation, not to limit it.