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Dr. Khalid AletaibiConservative Dentistry · Dubai

Your dental concern

Toothache and Other Dental Problems in Dubai

Most dental problems show themselves in a handful of ways: pain, sensitivity, bleeding, swelling, something broken, or a change you can see. This page gathers the concerns patients commonly bring, in their own words, with what each usually means, what helps in the meantime, and the point at which it should not wait.

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Quick answer

Most dental problems can wait for a normal appointment, and a few cannot. Call 998 or go to a hospital emergency department if swelling is spreading toward your eye, down your neck or under your tongue, if you find it hard to breathe, swallow or open your mouth, or if swelling comes with a fever [1] [2]. See a dentist straight away for a knocked-out adult tooth, which belongs back in its socket or in milk [3], and within a day or two for toothache that is not settling. Until then, ibuprofen alone or with paracetamol, if they are safe for you, relieves dental pain better than opioids [4], and antibiotics are not a treatment for most toothache [1]. Dr. Khalid Aletaibi sees urgent and routine dental problems in Jumeirah, Dubai.

Ambulance in the UAE

998

Spreading swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing

Emergency department now

Knocked-out adult tooth

Back in the socket, or into milk

Toothache that is not settling

A dentist within a day or two

How Dr. Khalid helps

Dr. Khalid looks for the problem behind the symptom. He examines the tooth that hurts and the ones around it, takes X-rays where they answer a question, relieves the pain, and explains what he finds in plain words before any treatment is agreed. His approach is conservative: treatment kept as small as the problem allows, with the natural tooth kept wherever it can be. For a child, he gives you the immediate advice and keeps your child's treatment in trusted hands. Where surgery or orthodontics is needed, that stage is planned jointly with the colleague who carries it out, with the finished result agreed first, and he stays on the case and does the restorative work. Consultations are in English and Arabic.

Before anything else

When it is urgent

Most dental problems can wait for a normal appointment. These cannot.

Call 998 or go to a hospital emergency department now if:

  • swelling is spreading toward your eye, down your neck or under your tongue [1] [2]
  • it is hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or you cannot open your mouth properly [2]
  • swelling comes with a fever, or you feel very unwell [1]
  • bleeding from the mouth does not stop with firm pressure
  • a blow to the face also caused a head injury, loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion

If your face is swelling, ask someone else to drive you. UAE emergency numbers: 998 ambulance, 999 police.

See a dentist the same day if:

  • an adult tooth has been knocked out: put it back in its socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and get to a dentist straight away [3]
  • your face, jaw or gum is swollen, even without a fever [1]
  • a broken tooth shows a pink or red spot, or bleeds from its centre
  • the pain is severe and painkillers are not controlling it

See a dentist within a few days if:

  • toothache lasts more than a day or two, or keeps coming back
  • it hurts to bite, or a filling or crown has come out
  • there is a pimple on your gum, or a mouth sore has not healed after two weeks [5]
  • a chipped tooth is sharp but not painful

Toothache and swelling

Throbbing pain, pain on biting, swelling and infection, and what to take while you wait.

My tooth throbs, and it is worse at night

A throbbing ache that comes on by itself, keeps you awake or lingers after hot or cold usually means the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed, typically from deep decay and sometimes from a crack. It tends to progress, from pain set off by temperature to pain that is constant, and then to a nerve that dies [1]. Treated in time, the nerve can sometimes be kept: in mature teeth with an inflamed nerve, removing just the damaged part (a pulpotomy) showed no significant difference in success from root canal treatment in pooled trials, with clinical success of 92.9 per cent beyond two years [6].

What usually helps: Pain relief as described in the next entry; avoid very hot, cold or sweet food, and chewing on that side. A dentist tests the nerve, checks for cracks and takes an X-ray to see how deep the problem goes.

See a dentist soon if: the pain lasts more than a day or two, wakes you, or keeps returning.

Urgent if: your face or gum starts to swell, or you develop a fever.

In depth: Can this tooth be saved?

What can I take for toothache until I am seen?

For dental pain, guidelines recommend an anti-inflammatory painkiller such as ibuprofen, alone or combined with paracetamol, as the starting point; these relieve toothache better than opioids and with fewer risks [4]. Antibiotics are not painkillers, and for most toothaches they bring little or no benefit [1].

What usually helps: Follow the dose on the packet, and ask a pharmacist before taking anything if you are pregnant, have asthma, stomach, kidney or heart problems, or take blood thinners. Swallow tablets rather than holding them against the gum, and do not use leftover antibiotics: prescriptions are not meant to be saved or shared [1].

See a dentist soon if: you need painkillers for more than a day or two to stay comfortable.

Urgent if: the pain comes with swelling or a fever.

In depth: Do you need antibiotics for a tooth infection?

It hurts when I bite down

Sharp pain on biting, often on one spot and sometimes with a twinge from cold, is a typical sign of a cracked tooth, and the pain tends to grow with how hard you bite [7]. A filling that sits slightly high, or an infection at the root tip, can feel similar. A crack matters because, left alone, it can extend and let bacteria reach the nerve [7].

What usually helps: Chew on the other side and avoid hard foods such as ice, nuts and hard sweets. A dentist checks each part of the tooth with a bite test, looks for crack lines under magnification and takes an X-ray.

See a dentist soon if: the pain repeats when you chew, even if the tooth looks normal.

Urgent if: the gum beside it swells, or the pain becomes constant.

In depth: Sharp pain when biting: is it a crack?

My toothache has stopped on its own. Is it better?

Not always. When an inflamed nerve dies, the pain can fade, but the infection that can follow carries on quietly at the root tip [1]. This kind of infection is often painless and very common: half of adults worldwide have at least one tooth with it, and it takes an X-ray to see it [8].

What usually helps: Have the tooth checked even though it no longer hurts. Treatment, usually root canal treatment, removes the infection while the tooth is still strong enough to keep.

See a dentist soon if: a tooth that ached badly has gone quiet, darkened, or feels slightly tender when you tap it.

Urgent if: swelling appears on the gum or face.

In depth: Root canal treatment

My face or jaw is swollen

Swelling from a tooth usually means an abscess, an infection that has spread from the tooth into the tissue around it. Antibiotics help when the infection is spreading or you have a fever, but the cure is treating the tooth itself, and that should not be delayed [1]. In a hospital series of 653 people with severe dental infections, swelling under the tongue or in the throat, fever and difficulty opening the mouth were among the signs of a more complicated course [2].

What usually helps: A cold pack on the outside of the cheek can make it more comfortable while you arrange care. Do not put heat on it and do not try to burst it. A dentist drains the infection where needed and treats the tooth that caused it.

See a dentist soon if: the swelling is small, inside the mouth and not spreading: aim for the same day.

Urgent if: it spreads toward your eye, down your neck or under your tongue, you find it hard to swallow, breathe or open your mouth, or you have a fever: call 998 or go to an emergency department.

In depth: Urgent dental care

There is a small pimple on my gum

A small bump on the gum that comes and goes, sometimes with a salty taste, is often a drainage channel from an infection at a tooth's root. Because the pus has a way out, it may not hurt at all, which makes it easy to ignore. The infection behind it needs treating at its source, and this kind of infection is often found on X-rays of teeth that feel normal [8].

What usually helps: Keep the area clean and do not squeeze it. A dentist finds which tooth it drains from, sometimes by tracing the channel on an X-ray, and treats that tooth, often with root canal treatment.

See a dentist soon if: the bump has been there for more than a few days, or keeps coming back.

Urgent if: the area swells, or you develop a fever.

In depth: Root canal treatment

The gum behind my back tooth is sore and swollen

This is usually pericoronitis, an infection of the gum flap over a wisdom tooth that is partly through. Food and bacteria collect under the flap, and the area can become painful and swollen, with the mouth hard to open. Wisdom teeth are involved in this kind of infection, and in the spreading infections that can follow, more often than any other tooth [9].

What usually helps: Brush the area gently and rinse well after meals to clear trapped food. A dentist cleans under the flap, checks whether the opposite tooth is biting on it, and discusses whether the wisdom tooth is likely to keep causing trouble.

See a dentist soon if: it comes back, or you struggle to keep the area clean.

Urgent if: you cannot open your mouth properly, it hurts to swallow, or the swelling spreads into the cheek or neck.

In depth: Do wisdom teeth always need to come out?

Back to the list

Sensitive teeth

Twinges from cold, sweet things or air, and sensitivity after whitening.

Cold drinks make my teeth sting

A short, sharp sting from cold, air or brushing that stops as soon as the trigger is gone is usually dentine sensitivity: the inner layer of the tooth is exposed, for example where a gum has receded or enamel has worn, and fluid moving in its tiny tubules sets off the nerve [10]. Other problems, such as decay or a crack, can feel the same, so it is worth confirming [10].

What usually helps: A toothpaste for sensitive teeth twice a day, spat out without rinsing: in a review of 53 trials, pastes containing potassium, stannous fluoride, arginine or nano-hydroxyapatite reduced sensitivity [11]. Brush gently with a soft brush.

See a dentist soon if: the sensitivity is getting worse, lingers after the cold has gone, or is in one tooth.

In depth: Why cold makes a tooth hurt

One tooth hurts when I eat something sweet

A sharp twinge from sugar in one particular tooth usually points to a cavity, or to a gap opening at the edge of an existing filling. Like sensitivity to cold, it comes from exposed dentine, and several conditions feel alike, so the tooth needs examining rather than guessing [10]. The earlier it is found, the smaller the repair tends to be.

What usually helps: Rinse with water after sweet food and keep the area clean until it is checked. A dentist examines the tooth and the edges of any filling, often with an X-ray between the teeth.

See a dentist soon if: the twinge happens more than occasionally, or a filling feels rough or has a dark edge.

In depth: Tooth-coloured fillings

My teeth have been sensitive since whitening

Sensitivity is the most common side effect of whitening. In a Cochrane review of home whitening, it was more frequent with stronger gels, and it was mild and temporary [12]. A sensitive tooth that stands out from the rest deserves a closer look.

What usually helps: Pause for a few days, use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, and resume with fewer or shorter sessions if needed. A dentist checks there is no other cause, such as a crack, decay or an exposed root.

See a dentist soon if: it lasts more than a few days after you stop, or one tooth hurts more than the rest.

In depth: What whitening does to enamel and gums

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Gums

Bleeding, shrinking or swollen gums, loose teeth and dark patches.

My gums bleed when I brush

Bleeding when you brush or floss is a typical sign of gingivitis, inflammation caused by plaque along the gum line. At this stage it is reversible: professional cleaning and better daily cleaning significantly reduce the inflammation, and managing gingivitis is how periodontitis is prevented [13].

What usually helps: Keep brushing, gently, twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean between the teeth once a day, with interdental brushes where they fit [13]. Bleeding is a reason to clean more carefully, not to stop.

See a dentist soon if: the bleeding continues despite careful cleaning, or your gums look red, puffy or are shrinking.

Urgent if: bleeding is heavy or starts on its own, especially with unusual bruising or tiredness: see a doctor as well.

In depth: Bleeding gums

My gums are shrinking and my teeth look longer

When the gum line moves down, part of the root is exposed, which can make the tooth look longer and feel sensitive [10]. It can follow gum disease, brushing too hard, or the way the gum and bone are built around a particular tooth, and the cause decides what can be done.

What usually helps: Brush gently with a soft brush and avoid scrubbing sideways. A dentist measures the gum and bone support, looks for the cause, and explains whether the recession is stable, needs watching, or can be covered.

See a dentist soon if: you notice it getting worse, or a tooth has become sensitive or loose.

In depth: Receding gums

A tooth feels loose, but nothing hit it

In an adult, a tooth that loosens without an injury is often a sign of periodontitis, which destroys the bone that holds the teeth. Severe periodontitis affects more than 11 per cent of adults and is a major cause of tooth loss, yet it is preventable, and treatment reduces tooth loss [13].

What usually helps: Avoid biting hard foods with that tooth and keep cleaning around it gently. A dentist measures the gum pockets, checks the bite and takes X-rays to see how much bone remains.

See a dentist soon if: an adult tooth has started to move: have it checked within a week or two.

Urgent if: the tooth is very loose or painful, or the gum around it is swollen.

In depth: Gum disease treatment

I have diabetes. Does it affect my gums?

Yes. A 2023 consensus of European periodontists and family doctors found periodontitis independently associated with diabetes, and asked dentists and doctors to look for each condition in patients who have the other [14]. So with diabetes, the gums are worth checking regularly, and bleeding gums are worth mentioning to your doctor.

What usually helps: Tell your dentist about your diabetes and your latest HbA1c, keep regular cleaning appointments, and clean between your teeth every day.

See a dentist soon if: your gums bleed, look swollen or have started to recede.

In depth: How the mouth and the body are linked

There is a dark patch on my gum

Many dark patches in the mouth are harmless: natural pigment, a smoker's patch, or a tattoo left by particles of an old amalgam filling. A patch that is new, growing, raised or changing needs looking at, and when the cause cannot be identified with certainty, a small biopsy is the way to be sure [15].

What usually helps: Take a dated photo so any change can be compared. A dentist looks at its colour, edges and history, and checks old X-rays for amalgam particles.

See a dentist soon if: the patch is new, or you are not sure how long it has been there.

Urgent if: it is growing, raised, bleeding or ulcerated: have it examined promptly.

In depth: A dark patch on the gum

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Chipped, broken or lost

Chips and breaks, knocked-out teeth, and fillings or crowns that have come out.

I have chipped or broken a tooth

A small chip on the edge of a tooth is rarely urgent, but it is worth smoothing or repairing before it catches your tongue or cracks further. A larger break, especially one showing a pink or red spot, means the nerve may be exposed and needs to be seen the same day. Find any broken piece and keep it wet: whether it can be bonded back is decided at the visit.

What usually helps: Rinse with water, cover a sharp edge with dental wax from a pharmacy, and hold something cold against the lip if it is swollen.

See a dentist soon if: a chip is painless but sharp, or a corner has broken off a back tooth.

Urgent if: a pink or red spot is showing, the tooth has moved, or the knock also hit your head: get the head injury checked at an emergency department.

In depth: Chipped or broken teeth

A tooth has been knocked out

For an adult tooth, minutes count. Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root, rinse it briefly in milk, saline or saliva if it is dirty, push it back into its socket, and bite on a cloth to hold it [3]. If you cannot, keep it in milk, saliva spat into a cup, or saline, and get to a dentist straight away: after about 30 minutes of drying, most of the cells that let it reattach are no longer viable [3].

What usually helps: Do not scrub the root or wrap the tooth dry in tissue. Water is a poor storage medium, though better than leaving the tooth to dry [3].

See a dentist soon if: the tooth is already back in place: it still needs a dentist straight away, to be checked and splinted.

Urgent if: it is an adult tooth: this is the dental emergency where speed changes the outcome. A knocked-out baby tooth is the exception, and should not be put back [3].

In depth: Knocked-out and loosened teeth

A filling has fallen out

A filling can come out because the tooth around it has decayed or cracked, or because it was large for the tooth. The hole is rarely an emergency, but the exposed tooth is easier to damage and traps food, so it is worth repairing within days rather than weeks. Whether it needs a new filling or a restoration that protects the cusps depends on how much sound tooth is left.

What usually helps: Keep the area clean and chew on the other side. A temporary filling material from a pharmacy can cover the hole for a few days. A dentist checks why it came out before replacing it.

See a dentist soon if: it does not hurt: within a few days is fine, but do not leave it for weeks.

Urgent if: the tooth becomes painful or throbs, or the gum beside it swells.

In depth: Crown or filling: which repair a tooth needs

My crown has come off

Keep the crown. If it is intact and the tooth beneath is sound, it can sometimes be cleaned and refitted; if the tooth underneath has decayed or broken, that is often why it came loose, and the tooth needs repairing before anything is refitted. Until then the exposed tooth can be sensitive and is easier to damage.

What usually helps: Store it in a small container, keep the area clean, and avoid chewing on that side. Do not glue it back with household glue; a temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can hold it for a day or two if you need to.

See a dentist soon if: it is not causing pain: within a few days, or sooner for a front tooth.

Urgent if: you think you swallowed or inhaled it and are coughing or short of breath: get medical help now.

In depth: Crowns

My tooth has broken off at the gum

When a tooth breaks at or below the gum line, the question is whether enough sound tooth remains above the bone to hold a new restoration. Sometimes it does, with a careful build-up or a procedure to expose more of the tooth; sometimes the root is split and cannot be kept. An X-ray and a careful examination decide which.

What usually helps: Keep any piece, keep the area clean, and avoid biting on what is left. A dentist assesses the root, the gum and the bone before discussing options.

See a dentist soon if: it is not painful: within a few days.

Urgent if: it becomes painful or swelling develops.

In depth: Broken below the gum: can it be kept?

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Colour, shape and gaps

Yellow or stained teeth, a tooth that has darkened, white spots, crowding and gaps.

My teeth look yellow or stained

Surface stains from tea, coffee, karak, smoking and shisha can often be polished away at a professional clean. Deeper yellowing, from the inner layer of the tooth showing through or from age, responds to whitening: in a Cochrane review, home whitening gels whitened teeth compared with placebo over two weeks to six months, though the certainty of that evidence was low [12].

What usually helps: A dentist starts by checking whether the colour is surface stain, your natural shade, or a sign of something else, such as a tooth that has died or worn enamel, before suggesting a plan. Whitening is supervised so the strength suits your teeth.

See a dentist soon if: one tooth is darker than the rest (see the next entry).

In depth: Teeth whitening

One tooth has turned grey or darker

A single tooth that darkens, often months after a knock, can mean the nerve is struggling or has died. It does not automatically mean a root canal: in a series of injured teeth, a darkened tooth recovered its colour and its normal response to testing as late as 12 months after milder injuries, and the authors advise waiting for clear signs of infection before treating [16].

What usually helps: A dentist tests the nerve and takes X-rays, then repeats them at set intervals. Watching carefully, with tests and X-rays, is treatment rather than delay.

See a dentist soon if: a tooth darkens, whether or not you remember a knock.

Urgent if: it becomes painful, or the gum above it swells or forms a pimple.

In depth: A grey tooth after a knock

I have white spots on my teeth

Chalky white spots can be early enamel loss, which often appears where braces sat, fluorosis from too much fluoride while the teeth were forming, or a developmental defect. They can look alike and are treated differently, so the cause comes before the treatment. Not every spot disappears completely, but in Dr. Khalid's experience a clear improvement is usually possible once the cause is known.

What usually helps: Avoid aggressive whitening or scrubbing in the meantime. A dentist examines the spots under good light, asks when they appeared, and checks whether they are active or stable.

See a dentist soon if: new spots appear, especially after braces or aligners, or a spot turns rough or brown.

In depth: White spot treatment

My teeth are crowded, or I have gaps

Crowding and gaps are two ends of the same mismatch between the size of the teeth and the space in the jaw. Many cases are purely cosmetic; some matter for health, when crowded teeth trap food and are hard to clean, or when the bite loads certain teeth unevenly. Moving teeth into place usually removes no tooth structure, which is why it is worth considering before reshaping or covering them.

What usually helps: A dentist looks at the bite as well as the smile, and explains the options, from orthodontic treatment planned and led by Dr. Khalid with the clinical team, to composite bonding.

See a dentist soon if: the crowding is getting worse, food keeps catching, or the gums between crowded teeth bleed.

In depth: Crowded teeth and gaps

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Breath, dry mouth and mouth sores

Bad breath or taste, a mouth that is always dry, and sores, patches or lumps.

I have bad breath, or a bad taste

In 80 to 90 per cent of cases, bad breath starts in the mouth, with a coated tongue, gum disease and plaque the main sources; the rest are linked to other parts of the body [17]. A bad taste that keeps returning is also worth checking, as it can come from a gum infection or a failing filling.

What usually helps: Clean your tongue gently each day, clean between your teeth, and drink water through the day. A dentist checks the gums, the tongue and any old fillings, and looks for a dry mouth.

See a dentist soon if: it persists despite good cleaning, or comes with bleeding gums or a bad taste.

In depth: What causes bad breath

My mouth always feels dry

Dry mouth is common, reported by about 23 per cent of people worldwide, and it is linked to taking more than three medicines a day, to radiotherapy of the head and neck, and to Sjögren disease [18]. Saliva protects the teeth, so a dry mouth raises the risk of decay, thrush and an altered sense of taste [18].

What usually helps: Sip water often, especially in the heat, chew gum without sugar, and ask your doctor or pharmacist whether any of your medicines could be the cause. A dentist checks your saliva, looks for early decay and suggests ways to protect the teeth while the cause is looked into.

See a dentist soon if: the dryness lasts more than a few weeks, you notice new decay, or eating and swallowing have become harder.

In depth: How saliva protects your teeth

I have a mouth ulcer, patch or lump that is not healing

The common recurrent mouth ulcer is small, round and painful, and heals within 5 to 14 days without a scar [5]. A sore still there after two weeks has outlasted that pattern and should be examined, as should a white or red patch or a lump that does not go away. For anything suspicious, guidelines recommend a prompt biopsy rather than waiting [19].

What usually helps: Avoid spicy, acidic or sharp foods while it heals, and check whether a sharp tooth or a denture is rubbing. Ulcers that keep coming back can be linked to low vitamin B12, folate or iron, or to coeliac disease, which a doctor can test for [18].

See a dentist soon if: an ulcer has not healed in two weeks, or ulcers keep coming back.

Urgent if: a sore, patch or lump is growing, bleeding, numb or firm to the touch: have it examined without delay.

In depth: A full examination, with oral cancer screening

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Jaw, grinding and wear

A clicking or aching jaw, grinding and clenching, and teeth that are wearing down.

My jaw clicks, aches or gets stuck

These are typical signs of a temporomandibular disorder, which affects about 6 to 9 per cent of adults and can also cause headaches and earache [20]. For jaw pain lasting three months or more, an international guideline makes strong recommendations for jaw exercises and stretching, manual therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and simple self-care, and advises against appliances that permanently change the bite [20].

What usually helps: Eat softer foods for a while, avoid chewing gum and very wide yawns, and notice whether you clench during the day. A dentist checks the jaw joints, the muscles and the bite, and looks for grinding.

See a dentist soon if: the pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, or the jaw catches when you open.

Urgent if: the jaw locks so that you cannot open or close your mouth.

In depth: The bite and the jaw joints

I grind or clench my teeth

Grinding and clenching can happen awake or asleep, and many people do not know they do it until a partner hears it or a dentist sees the wear. A night guard has not been shown to stop the grinding itself: a Cochrane review found too little evidence that splints treat sleep bruxism, though they may help protect the teeth from wear [21].

What usually helps: Notice daytime clenching and rest the jaw with your lips together and teeth apart. If you also snore loudly or wake unrefreshed, mention it, as a sleep assessment may be worthwhile. A dentist looks at the wear pattern, the muscles and the joints, and fits a guard where protecting the teeth is the aim.

See a dentist soon if: you wake with an aching jaw or headaches, or your teeth are chipping or flattening.

In depth: Night guards and splints

My teeth are getting shorter or flatter

Teeth wear from grinding, from acid in food, drinks or reflux, and from brushing too hard, usually from a mix of these. It is very common: in a 2026 study of 876 UAE teenagers, almost all showed some erosive wear, and drinking sports drinks weekly or daily was linked to more of it, while regular water drinking was linked to less [22]. Lost enamel does not grow back, so finding the cause early matters.

What usually helps: Drink water rather than sipping acidic or sports drinks through the day, and protect the teeth at night if you grind. A dentist records the wear so its progress can be measured, and deals with the cause before the teeth.

See a dentist soon if: edges are chipping, teeth look thinner or see-through at the edges, or they have become sensitive.

In depth: Tooth wear: causes and what to do

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Pregnancy and children

Dental care in pregnancy, and common concerns about children's teeth.

I am pregnant. Is dental treatment safe?

Yes. Dental care is considered safe in pregnancy, and a painful or infected tooth is worth treating, since gum disease and an acutely inflamed nerve have been linked to pregnancy complications [23]. A 2026 review recommends the middle three months for non-urgent work, X-rays with lead shielding where needed, and low-risk medicines such as the local anaesthetic lidocaine [23]. Bleeding, swollen gums are common in pregnancy and respond to careful cleaning.

What usually helps: Tell the dentist how many weeks pregnant you are, keep brushing twice a day, and rinse with water after morning sickness.

See a dentist soon if: your gums bleed more than usual, or a tooth starts to ache.

Urgent if: you have facial swelling or a fever with dental pain: pregnancy is no reason to wait.

In depth: Dental care during pregnancy

My child has toothache

In children, toothache usually means decay that has reached the nerve of a baby tooth or a new adult tooth, and young children often show it by refusing to chew on one side or waking at night. Baby teeth hold the space for the adult teeth, so a painful one is worth treating rather than waiting for it to fall out.

What usually helps: Pain relief made for children, at the dose for their age and weight as the packet or a pharmacist directs, and never aspirin for anyone under 16. Soft food on the other side helps. Dr. Khalid gives you the immediate advice and keeps your child's treatment in trusted hands, while staying the family's dentist.

See a dentist soon if: the pain lasts more than a day, or you can see a hole or a dark spot on a tooth.

Urgent if: the face swells, your child has a fever, or seems unusually drowsy or unwell.

In depth: Children's dentistry

My child has knocked out a baby tooth

Do not put a baby tooth back: unlike an adult tooth, a knocked-out baby tooth should not be replanted [3]. Stop the bleeding with gentle pressure using a clean cloth, keep the tooth, and call so your child can be checked. If you are not sure whether it is a baby tooth or an adult one, keep it in milk and get to a dentist straight away.

What usually helps: A cold drink or an ice lolly can soothe the lip. The child's gums, the nearby teeth and the adult tooth developing beneath are checked, and that adult tooth is watched as it comes through.

See a dentist soon if: the bleeding has stopped and your child seems well: still the same day, so the developing tooth can be checked.

Urgent if: your child hit their head, lost consciousness, is vomiting or drowsy: go to an emergency department.

In depth: Children's dentistry

My child's back teeth are chalky, yellow-brown or crumbling

This is often molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), a defect in how the enamel formed that affects about 13.5 per cent of children worldwide [24]. The enamel is soft and porous, so the teeth can be sensitive and break down soon after they appear. It is a developmental defect, not a result of poor brushing.

What usually helps: Gentle brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and early protection of the affected teeth. Dr. Khalid gives you the assessment and the advice, and your child's treatment is kept in trusted hands.

See a dentist soon if: you notice discoloured, sensitive or crumbling back teeth, especially soon after they come through at around six years old.

In depth: Chalky or crumbling molars in children

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Before and after treatment

Nerves about the dentist, checking a treatment plan, medicines, and what is normal after treatment.

I am too nervous to see a dentist

You are far from alone, and nerves are a reason to plan the visit differently, not to avoid it. An initial visit can be a conversation and an examination with nothing done, with a signal agreed in advance to stop at any moment, and no pressure to decide anything on the day.

What usually helps: Say that you are nervous when you call, and bring someone with you if that helps. Tell the dentist what worries you most, whether it is needles, the sound, gagging or feeling out of control.

See a dentist soon if: a tooth hurts or something has broken: a short, gentle visit to relieve it is a reasonable place to start.

In depth: Dentistry for nervous patients

I have been told I need a lot of treatment. How can I check?

A large treatment plan deserves an independent look before anything irreversible is done. A second opinion examines you, reads your X-rays and goes through the plan item by item, separating what needs attention now from what can be watched and what has more conservative options.

What usually helps: Bring the written plan, recent X-rays and any photographs or scans. Ask, for each tooth, what problem the treatment solves and what happens if it waits.

See a dentist soon if: you are about to start extensive or irreversible work and still have questions.

In depth: A second opinion on a treatment plan

I take medicines or have a health condition. What should the dentist know?

Everything you take, before any treatment. Never stop a blood thinner yourself: a review of mostly low-quality studies found no important difference in bleeding after oral procedures whether the newer anticoagulants were continued or paused, and the bleeding that did occur was controlled locally [25]. Bone-strengthening medicines carry a very small risk of jaw healing problems at osteoporosis doses, estimated at 0.001 to 0.01 per cent, and a higher one at cancer doses [26]. Antibiotics before dental work are reserved for a small group of high-risk heart conditions [27].

What usually helps: Bring your medicine list, recent blood results if you have diabetes or take warfarin, and your doctor's contact details. The dentist plans the timing and technique around your health, with your doctor where needed.

See a dentist soon if: you have started a new medicine, especially for bones, blood thinning or the heart, before planned dental work.

In depth: What to bring, and what happens at a visit

My tooth hurts after a new filling or crown

A little sensitivity to cold or biting in the days after a filling or crown can happen, especially when the work was deep, and it should fade rather than build. A filling or crown that sits slightly high makes the tooth sore to bite on and is quick to adjust. Pain that comes on by itself, throbs or wakes you is different: it can mean the nerve under deep work is inflamed [1].

What usually helps: Avoid very cold food and chewing hard on that side for a few days. A dentist checks the bite with marking paper and tests the nerve.

See a dentist soon if: sensitivity is getting worse after a week, or the bite feels high.

Urgent if: the pain becomes constant or throbbing, or swelling appears.

In depth: Tooth-coloured fillings

My tooth still hurts after a root canal

Some tenderness after root canal treatment is normal and usually short-lived: in a review of 72 studies, about 40 per cent of patients reported pain a day after treatment and about 11 per cent after a week, at much lower intensity [28]. Pain that persists, returns months later, or comes with swelling or a gum pimple suggests the infection has not fully cleared, and the tooth needs reassessing.

What usually helps: Pain relief as advised, and no hard biting on the tooth until its permanent restoration is in place. A dentist checks the bite, the temporary seal and a new X-ray.

See a dentist soon if: the pain is still there after a week or two, or comes back later.

Urgent if: swelling, a fever or severe pain develops.

In depth: When a root canal has not settled

It hurts more a few days after an extraction

Soreness for a few days after an extraction is expected, and it should ease steadily. Pain that gets worse after the first few days, often with a bad taste and a socket that looks empty, can be a dry socket, where the protective clot has been lost; it is one of the most common complications after an extraction [29].

What usually helps: In the first day, avoid rinsing hard or spitting forcefully, so the clot stays in place. A dentist rinses the socket and places a soothing dressing.

See a dentist soon if: the pain is getting worse instead of better after the first few days.

Urgent if: bleeding does not stop with firm pressure on a gauze pad, or swelling and a fever develop.

In depth: Tooth extractions

Back to the list

In Dubai: visiting, flying, shisha and sport

A dental problem on a trip, flying, shisha, and training in the heat.

I am visiting Dubai and have a dental problem

Start by checking the urgent signs above, then aim to have the cause dealt with rather than just the pain. If you fly home soon, say so: the plan can then focus on what is needed before you travel, and you leave with your X-rays and a written note for your own dentist.

What usually helps: Keep your medicine list and any dental records on your phone. You are told what was found and what was done, so care can continue smoothly at home.

See a dentist soon if: the problem started during your trip and is not settling.

Urgent if: you notice any of the red-flag signs above: call 998 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

In depth: Dental care for visitors to Dubai

Can I fly with toothache, or soon after dental treatment?

Changes in cabin pressure can bring on tooth pain, called barodontalgia, but it usually points to a problem already there: in a review of in-flight cases, the main causes were faulty fillings or decay, a dead nerve or inflammation at the root tip, an inflamed nerve, recent dental treatment and blocked sinuses [30]. A tooth that already hurts can get worse in the air, so have it checked before a long flight.

What usually helps: Tell the dentist your flight date, so treatment is finished, or safely sealed, before you travel. After an extraction or surgery, ask how long to wait before flying.

See a dentist soon if: you have a flight booked and a tooth is aching, sensitive or has lost a filling.

In depth: Planning treatment around a flight

I smoke shisha. What does it do to my mouth?

Shisha is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. In a review of 50 studies, waterpipe smoking was linked to about four times the odds of oral cancer, as well as to lung cancer, chronic lung disease and heart disease [31]. It also stains the teeth.

What usually helps: Cutting down helps, and stopping helps more; your doctor can support you in quitting. A dentist checks your gums and the whole lining of the mouth for early changes at each examination.

See a dentist soon if: you notice a patch, sore or lump that does not heal, or your gums have changed.

In depth: Oral cancer screening at your examination

I train hard in the heat. Is it affecting my teeth?

It can. Whether you train year-round or for the Dubai Fitness Challenge, frequent sports drinks and gels bathe the teeth in sugar and acid: among 876 UAE teenagers, weekly or daily sports drinks were linked to more tooth wear and regular water drinking to less [22]. In contact sports, mouthguards are strongly associated with fewer injuries: across eight studies, dental injuries were recorded in 7.75 per cent of mouthguard users against 48.31 per cent of those without one [32].

What usually helps: Drink water for most training, keep sports drinks for long sessions, and rinse with water afterwards. A mouthguard made to fit your teeth is worth discussing for team, contact and combat sports.

See a dentist soon if: your teeth have become sensitive or look glassy at the edges, or you play a contact sport without a guard.

Urgent if: a tooth is knocked out or broken during sport: follow the knocked-out tooth advice above.

In depth: Tooth wear

Back to the list

What to expect

In practice

  • A clear explanation of what is causing the problem, in plain words
  • Pain relieved first, then a written plan for anything further
  • X-rays where they answer a question, rather than as a routine
  • Treatment kept as small as the problem allows, with your own tooth kept wherever it can be
  • Children's care kept in trusted hands, and surgery or orthodontics planned jointly, with Dr. Khalid staying on the case

You always get an honest opinion and a written plan before any treatment begins, with no pressure.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

When is a dental problem an emergency in Dubai?
When swelling is spreading toward the eye, down the neck or under the tongue, when breathing, swallowing or opening the mouth becomes difficult, or when swelling comes with a fever or you feel very unwell. These are signs that an infection may be spreading beyond the tooth, and they need a hospital emergency department, or an ambulance on 998 [1] [2]. A knocked-out adult tooth needs a dentist straight away [3].
Should I go to a pharmacy, a dentist or a hospital for toothache?
A pharmacist can advise on pain relief that is safe with your other medicines; anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, alone or with paracetamol, are the recommended starting point for dental pain [4]. The cause, usually decay, a crack or an infection, needs a dentist. A hospital emergency department is for the red-flag signs, such as spreading swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Can I be seen the same day in Jumeirah?
Where possible, during opening hours, daily from 9am to 9pm. Call directly, describe what is happening, and we will try to see you the same day. If you are unsure whether your problem is urgent, say so when you call.
Is this page a diagnosis?
No. It explains what each concern usually means, so you can judge how soon to be seen. Several conditions can produce the same symptom, and an examination, sometimes with an X-ray, is what tells them apart.
What should I bring to an urgent appointment?
A list of your medicines and medical conditions, any recent dental X-rays, and, after an injury, any broken piece of tooth kept wet. A knocked-out adult tooth that cannot go back in its socket should travel in milk, saliva or saline [3].
Which languages are consultations in?
English and Arabic. Medical terms are explained in everyday words, and the written plan you take away is in whichever of the two you prefer.

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