Adult Dental Pain Treatment (Dental Infection Bridge Care)
Fast MD-only dental pain evaluation for adults in California by secure online video visit, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Dental pain can come from cavities, cracked teeth, gum irritation, or an infection around the tooth root or gum. Antibiotics are not always needed and they do not fix the underlying dental problem. TeleDirectMD provides short-term bridge care, focused on red flag screening, safe pain control, and antibiotics only when infection is likely. Definitive treatment still requires a dentist within 48 to 72 hours.
- $49 flat-fee visit, no hidden costs
- MD-only care, no mid-level providers
- No insurance required or accepted
- Available for adults in California (and 25+ states)
- Secure, encrypted video visits from home
Bridge Care for Dental Pain by California-Licensed MDs
- Screening for dental infection vs noninfectious causes
- Red flag screening for deep space infection
- Safe pain control guidance
- Antibiotics when appropriate, no controlled substances
For adults only (18+). You must be physically located in California at the time of your video visit. Facial swelling, fever, trouble swallowing, drooling, neck swelling, voice changes, or inability to open the mouth normally require urgent in-person care.
What Dental Pain Means and Why Prompt Dental Care Matters
Dental pain can come from tooth decay, a cracked tooth, gum disease, or inflammation around the tooth root. Sometimes pain is severe without infection, and sometimes infection is present with minimal pain. Antibiotics may temporarily reduce bacterial load in selected cases, but they do not eliminate the source. Definitive care requires a dentist for evaluation and possible drainage, root canal, or extraction.
TeleDirectMD provides bridge care for adults, meaning short-term treatment and guidance until you can be seen by a dentist. We focus on safety first, including screening for dangerous spread of infection and ensuring you have clear next steps.
Dental Pain Symptoms and Red Flags
During your visit, the MD will review location of pain, duration, swelling, fever, drainage, bad taste, your ability to swallow and breathe normally, and any immune system risks.
| Symptom | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth pain with cold or sweet sensitivity | Cavity, exposed dentin | Yes | Severe swelling, fever, or spreading facial pain |
| Throbbing pain with gum swelling | Possible abscess | Sometimes, mild only | Rapidly worsening swelling or inability to open mouth |
| Bad taste, pus, gum “pimple” | Draining abscess | Sometimes | Fever, neck swelling, or worsening pain despite drainage |
| Facial swelling over jaw or cheek | Spreading infection | Often no | Eye swelling, neck swelling, or severe facial swelling |
| Fever, chills, feeling very ill | Systemic infection | No | ER evaluation recommended |
| Trouble swallowing, drooling, voice changes | Deep space infection risk | No | ER evaluation recommended |
| Trismus, cannot open mouth normally | Spread into deeper tissues | No | Urgent evaluation recommended |
| Severe headache, eye pain, eye swelling | Spread toward orbit or sinus | No | ER evaluation recommended |
| Immunosuppression or uncontrolled diabetes | Higher risk of rapid progression | Often no | Lower threshold for urgent in-person care |
What We Screen For With Dental Pain
- Dental caries or cracked tooth: sensitivity, pain with chewing, localized pain.
- Pulpitis: intense pain triggered by temperature, may not be infection.
- Periapical abscess: swelling, bad taste, gum drainage, throbbing pain.
- Periodontal infection: gum swelling, tenderness, bleeding, bad breath.
- Deep space infection risk: facial swelling with fever, trismus, drooling, difficulty swallowing or breathing.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with localized tooth pain or mild gum swelling
- No facial or neck swelling
- No fever, drooling, trouble swallowing, or voice changes
- Able to open mouth normally and breathe comfortably
- Plan to see a dentist within 48 to 72 hours
- Physically located in California at the time of the video visit
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Facial or neck swelling, especially if rapidly worsening
- Fever, chills, vomiting, or feeling very ill
- Trouble swallowing, drooling, or voice changes
- Trismus, cannot open mouth normally
- Eye swelling, severe headache, or vision symptoms
- Immunosuppression or uncontrolled diabetes with significant symptoms
Treatment Options for Adult Dental Pain (Bridge Care Only)
The goal of bridge care is to reduce pain and limit progression until you can see a dentist. Antibiotics are used only when infection is likely. Pain control and prompt dental follow-up are essential because the underlying source usually needs dental treatment.
Supportive Care and Pain Control
- Acetaminophen 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed, maximum 3000 mg per day.
- Ibuprofen 400 mg by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed with food if safe for you.
- Warm salt water rinses 3 to 4 times daily.
- Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods if they worsen pain.
Antibiotics When Appropriate
Antibiotics may be appropriate for suspected dental infection with swelling, drainage, or systemic symptoms, but they are not always needed for pain alone. TeleDirectMD can provide a short course when appropriate and when you have a plan for dental care within 48 to 72 hours.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | 500 mg by mouth 3 times daily | 5 days | Suspected dental infection in selected adults when appropriate |
| Amoxicillin and clavulanate | 875 mg/125 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | More extensive infection concern in selected adults when appropriate |
| Clindamycin | 300 mg by mouth 4 times daily | 5 days | Penicillin allergy option in selected adults when appropriate |
| Acetaminophen | 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain or fever control when safe for you |
| Ibuprofen | 400 mg by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed | As needed | Pain or inflammation control when safe for you |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. Dental infection care is bridge care only. You should see a dentist within 48 to 72 hours for definitive treatment. If you develop facial or neck swelling, fever, trouble swallowing, drooling, voice changes, or inability to open your mouth normally, seek urgent in-person care.
Home Care, Recovery, and Return to Work
If you were prescribed antibiotics, start them promptly and follow the plan. Continue supportive care and schedule dental evaluation as soon as possible. Dental infections can worsen quickly if the source is not treated.
- Rinse with warm salt water several times daily.
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed if safe for you.
- Avoid squeezing gum swelling or trying to drain an abscess yourself.
- Seek urgent care for worsening swelling, fever, new trouble swallowing, or worsening pain.
Many adults can work as tolerated if they feel well. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Visit
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual urgent care by secure video. Visits typically last about 10 to 15 minutes and cost $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance involvement. During your dental pain visit, the MD will review symptoms, swelling, fever, drainage, your ability to swallow and breathe normally, and red flags for dangerous spread of infection.
If your presentation is appropriate for telehealth, we can send an electronic prescription to your preferred local pharmacy in California when appropriate. If you need urgent dental or ER evaluation, we will explain why and guide you on the safest next step.
We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Dental Pain Treatment FAQ
Can antibiotics cure a tooth infection without a dentist?
Antibiotics may temporarily reduce bacteria and swelling in selected cases, but they usually do not fix the source. Definitive care typically requires a dentist for evaluation and treatment such as drainage, a root canal, or extraction.
When do I need urgent care or the ER for dental pain?
Go urgently for facial or neck swelling, fever, trouble swallowing, drooling, voice changes, inability to open your mouth normally, eye swelling, severe headache, or feeling very ill.
Is dental pain always an infection?
No. Cavities, cracked teeth, and pulp inflammation can cause severe pain without infection. Infection is more likely with swelling, pus, bad taste, fever, or spreading facial pain.
What is the best over-the-counter pain medicine for tooth pain?
Many adults do well with ibuprofen and acetaminophen when safe for them. The MD can help you choose a safe plan based on your medical history. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
Can you prescribe antibiotics online for a tooth infection?
Sometimes. If symptoms suggest infection and there are no red flags, TeleDirectMD may prescribe antibiotics as bridge care. You should still see a dentist within 48 to 72 hours for definitive treatment.
How long can I wait to see a dentist?
Dental pain should be evaluated promptly. If infection is possible, you should arrange dental care within 48 to 72 hours. Worsening swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing requires urgent in-person care.
What can I do at home while I wait for a dental appointment?
Warm salt water rinses, soft foods, and safe use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. Avoid very hot or cold triggers. Do not attempt to drain swelling yourself.
Can you give me a work note for dental pain?
TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
Which states do you serve for online dental pain care?
TeleDirectMD serves adults in California and in more than 25 additional states. During booking, you will confirm that you are physically located in a licensed state at the time of your visit.
What if my symptoms get worse after starting antibiotics?
Worsening swelling, fever, trouble swallowing, drooling, voice changes, or inability to open your mouth normally needs urgent in-person evaluation because deeper infection may be developing.
Can TeleDirectMD replace a dentist?
No. TeleDirectMD provides short-term bridge care and safety guidance. Definitive treatment for most dental problems requires a dentist.