Gail M. Davis DDS, MS Dr. Gail office Endodontics Rockville Maryland

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	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Sensitivity to hot or cold foods that doesn't linger more than 8 seconds	Momentary sensitivity to hot and cold foods generally does not signal a serious problem. The sensitivity may be caused by a loose filling or by minimal gum recession which exposes small areas of the root surface.	See your dentist. The loose filling may need to be replaced. Minimal gum recession may require the use of a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.
	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Sensitivity to hot or cold foods starts after dental treatment.	Dental work may inflame the nerves, inside the tooth, causing temporary sensitivity.	Wait about four weeks. If the pain persists or worsens, see your dentist.
	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Sharp pain when biting down on food.	There are several possible causes of this type of pain: decay, a loose filling or a crack in the tooth. There may also be damage to the pulp inside the tooth.	See a dentist for evaluation. If the problem is nerve damage, your dentist or an endodontist will perform a root canal procedure that cleans out the damaged pulp and fills and seals the root canals.
	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods causing a toothache.	This probably means the pulp has been damaged by deep decay or trauma.	See an endodontist or dentist to save the tooth with root canal treatment.
	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Constant and severe pain and pressure, swelling of gum and sensitivity to touch.	A tooth may have become abscessed, causing the surrounding gum and bone to become infected.	See your dentist or endodontist for evaluation and treatment to relieve the pain and save the tooth. Take over-the-counter analgesics until you see the dentist.
	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw.	The pain of a sinus headache is often felt in the face and upper teeth. Grinding of teeth, a condition known as bruxism, can also cause this type of ache.	For sinus headache, try over-the-counter analgesic or sinus medicine. For bruxism, consult your dentist. If pain is severe and chronic, see your physician or an endodontist for evaluation.
	Symptom	Possible Problem	What to do
	Chronic pain in head, neck or ear.	Sometimes pulp damaged teeth cause pain to radiate to other parts of the head and neck, but other dental or medical problems may be responsible.	See an endodontist for evaluation. If the problem is not related to the tooth, your endodontist will refer you to an appropriate dental specialist or a physician.