Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for dental pain. This happens when the nerve in a tooth or the gum tissue around a tooth is irritated. A fractured tooth, tooth decay, or gum disease is most often the cause of tooth pain.
Tooth problems can cause pain in other areas of the head and neck. Tooth problems can also sometimes cause ear and jaw pain. Pain from a sinus infection can also feel like tooth pain.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor or dentist and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Avoid very cold or very hot food and drinks. These can make pain worse.
●Avoid chewing on the painful side of your mouth for a few days.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day. Use toothpaste with fluoride.
●Use dental floss to clean between your teeth every day.
●If you have an infection, you might have gotten antibiotics. It is important to take all the antibiotics, even if you start to feel better.
●If you smoke, try to stop. Your doctor, nurse, or dentist can help you. Smoking can make some dental problems worse.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You have trouble breathing.
•Your tongue, neck, or face is swelling.
•You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
•You cannot open your mouth or eat.
•The pain spreads into your jaw or neck or around your eyes.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●Discharge around a tooth, or a foul taste or smell in your mouth
●Trouble swallowing or chewing
●Lots of bleeding from your gums, or swollen gums
●Very bad pain even after taking pain medicines
●New or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Toothache (The Basics)
Patient education: Dental abscess (The Basics)
Patient education: Mouth and dental injuries in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Mouth and dental injuries in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Tooth decay in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Tooth decay in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Mouth and dental injuries in children (Beyond the Basics)
