ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Dental Pain

What is dental pain?

23 January 2026

This refers to a painful episode of dental origin caused by cavities (dental decay), infections, wear of the teeth, gum problems, the emergence of wisdom teeth, external stimuli such as cold, heat, acidic or sweet foods, and surgical procedures. The pain can spread to other oral or facial areas.

Classification of Dental Pain:

  • Dentin:
    Usually caused by cavities, tooth wear, or abrasive chemical substances.
  • Pulpal:
    Pain caused by pulpitis, which is the inflammation of the pulp tissue due to bacteria, physiological problems, chemicals, or the effect of dental prosthetics.
  • Periapical:
    When pulpitis is not treated, it can degenerate into pulp necrosis (death of the pulp).
  • Periodontal:
    Damage to the gums due to the effect of bacteria.
  • Pericoronitis:
    Occurs when the tissues surrounding the tooth become inflamed and break down due to the eruption of a wisdom tooth.
  • Dental Surgery:
    Pain generated by dental surgeries or implant placement.

Although it is often not serious, dental pain that does not receive a diagnosis of the cause and appropriate treatment can degenerate into some infrequent but potentially probable severe complications, including:

  • Sinusitis.
  • Cavernous sinus thrombosis.
  • Ludwig’s angina.

Dental pain is often treated at home with self-medication using analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics until it becomes too intense or complications begin to appear, forcing the patient to seek consultation with a dentist.

The best options for preventing cases of dental pain and their possible causes are maintaining adequate oral hygiene and attending dental check-ups once or twice a year or at the first sign of a painful episode.

How to maintain correct oral hygiene:

  • Brush your teeth after every meal or, failing that, three times a day.
  • The toothbrush movements should be gentle and circular, trying to reach all corners of the mouth, without forgetting the gums and tongue.
  • Use dental floss at least three times a day.
  • Rinse and gargle with an antiseptic product to disinfect the back of the tongue and prevent possible halitosis (bad breath).
  • Change your toothbrush every month and a half or two months.
  • Visit your dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning.
  • At the slightest sign of discomfort, bad breath, tartar, or cavities, see your dentist for a review so they can provide a timely diagnosis and treatment, avoiding possible complications.

Centro Médico ABC invites you to take care of your dental health with our professional team of highly qualified dentists with a strong ethical sense and supported by cutting-edge technology, which guarantees a maximum quality and safe service in our comfortable and functional facilities with all the latest dental advances, achieving fast care with a high degree of precision and efficiency.

Related centers and departments Dental Pain

Dental Health
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Sources:

  • topdoctors.es
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • dentalcare.com.mx
  • msdmanuals.com
  • cun.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Morales; Cortés; Tello; Contreras. Construcción y validación de cuestionario para el análisis del miedo al dolor dental en pacientes odontológicos. Rev ADM. 2019;76(4):201–207.
  • Chavarría-Bolaños D, Esparza-Villalpando V, Pozos-Guillén A. Sinergismo Farmacológico: Un enfoque de analgesia multimodal para el manejo de dolor dental. Odovtos-Int J Dent Sc. 2019;21(1):10-14.
  • Díaz GLM, Huerta FAC, Castellanos SJL. Prevalencia de dolor craneofacial en pacientes que buscan atención dental. Rev ADM. 2008;65(6):285-290.
  • Pozos GAJ, Aguirre BP, Pérez UJ. Manejo clínico-farmacológico del dolor dental. Rev ADM. 2008;65(1):36-43.

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