Dental Pain Relief in Darien

Patient Concerns

Toothache, cracked teeth, swollen gums and sensitivity: what the pain is telling you, and why it should not be waited out.

Having dental pain affects you every time you use your mouth, so it is very important that your oral pain is taken care of quickly. This pain is an obvious sign that there is something wrong with your smile.

Request an AppointmentCall (630) 427-1800
Patient receiving relief from dental pain at B&R Dentists in Darien, IL

What’s included

  • Sharp pain when eating
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
  • Swollen or bleeding gums
  • Jaw pressure and aching
  • Swelling and abscesses

Do Not Wait It Out

You've had a toothache for months now and it simply will not go away, how frustrating is that? Whether your pain is coming from a broken or cracked tooth, swollen gums, or even sensitivity stings, it is important that you not avoid a visit to the dentist. Most people do not like going to the dentist, they put off dealing with the pain and forget that teeth are crucial to not only our health but also things like our confidence, or even enjoying a meal. Whatever the source of your pain is, it is imperative that you seek professional help so that your everyday routine is not put on hold. The B & R Dentists team will make sure that you receive immediate treatment options with the highest quality care. We want to make sure that you no longer dread visiting the dentist, but instead walk out feeling confident that you will achieve the smile you long for.

Common Signs of Dental Pain

Sharp pain when eating. Sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold foods and drinks. Swollen or bleeding gums. Jaw pressure and aching. Swelling and abscesses. There is no specific trigger for oral pain, these are just a couple of examples. We recommend that you address these symptoms promptly to ensure a worse problem does not develop. It is also worth knowing what the pattern suggests: a brief twinge with cold that stops immediately often points to a small cavity or exposed root; an ache that lingers a minute afterward suggests the nerve is inflamed; pain on biting one specific spot frequently means a crack; and throbbing that wakes you at night, or a bad taste with a bump on the gum, usually means infection that will not resolve on its own.

Why Pain Should Not Be Ignored

Dental pain is a symptom of a process that is still running. Nothing in a tooth heals by itself once decay has broken through the enamel or a nerve has become infected. The pain may stop, but that usually means the nerve has died rather than that the problem resolved, and the infection then continues quietly into the bone. Treating early is also the difference between the small procedure and the large one: the same tooth is a filling now, a root canal and crown in a year, an extraction after that. And an untreated abscess is the one dental problem that can become a genuine medical emergency, spreading into the tissues of the face and neck. Fever, difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth, or swelling that is spreading are all reasons to be seen the same day.

What Happens When You Come In

We find the source first, which is not always the tooth that hurts, since dental pain refers along the jaw and can be surprisingly difficult to localise. That means an examination, an X-ray, and some simple tests: tapping teeth, applying cold, checking your bite. Once we know what it is, we tell you what it is and what the options are, including cost, before doing anything. Where possible we relieve the pain at that visit: draining an abscess, removing decay, opening a tooth to release pressure, adjusting a high filling, or dressing a sensitive area. Definitive treatment sometimes needs a second appointment, but you should not leave still in pain. In the event of an emergency during non-office hours please leave a message and someone will contact you.

Common Questions

Can I be seen today?
Call (630) 427-1800 and tell us you are in pain. We keep room for urgent problems and will do our best. If you are swollen, feverish, or having difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, say that immediately: it moves you to the front.
The pain stopped on its own. Do I still need to come in?
Yes, and probably more urgently than before. Pain that stops after being severe frequently means the nerve has died. The infection does not stop with it: it continues into the bone at the root tip, usually silently, until it swells.
What can I do until my appointment?
Over-the-counter painkillers taken as directed, avoiding the trigger where you can, and a warm salt water rinse for sore gums. Do not put aspirin directly against the tooth or gum: it burns the tissue. Do not apply heat to a swollen face.
Why does it hurt more at night?
Partly because lying down increases blood pressure in the head, which increases pressure inside an inflamed tooth, and partly because there is nothing else competing for your attention. It is a very common pattern with an infected nerve.
Is a cracked tooth always obvious?
No. Cracked tooth syndrome typically presents as a sharp pain when biting in one particular way, that vanishes instantly when you release, and the crack itself is often invisible on an X-ray. It is diagnosed by testing how you bite. Caught early the tooth is usually saved with a crown; left alone it tends to split.

Terms You May Hear

Abscess
A collection of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum. Often causes throbbing, swelling and a bad taste.
Pulpitis
Inflammation of the nerve inside a tooth. Reversible early; once irreversible, it needs root canal treatment or extraction.
Referred pain
Pain felt in a different place from its source, which is why the tooth that hurts is not always the tooth at fault.

Related Services

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Call (630) 427-1800 and say you are in pain. If there is facial swelling or you cannot swallow properly, treat it as urgent.

Request an Appointment(630) 427-1800