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Seeing the dentist for toothache in English (advanced)

Advanced English for seeing the dentist for toothache. Key line: “Hi, could you take a look? My back tooth's been throbbing since last night.”

Full script

Lin
Hi, could you take a look? My back tooth's been throbbing since last night.
Them
Sure—does it flare up with cold drinks, or is it just constant?
Lin
Mostly with cold stuff, and chewing on that side is a bad idea.
Them
Got it. Any swelling, or did something crack after a heroic candy battle?
Lin
No swelling, but I may have lost a fight with sticky toffee—spectacularly.
Them
That narrows it down. Let's check for a filling issue or a tiny crack.
Lin
If it's fixable today, I'd love to stop chewing like a suspicious squirrel.
Them
If the tooth cooperates, absolutely—and we'll officially declare the toffee the winner.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

check
✓ Could you take a look?

Could you take a look?

Natural way to start at a clinic

pulsing
✓ My back tooth's been throbbing.

Ongoing pain in a back tooth

throbbing=steady pulsing pain

worse
✓ Does it flare up with cold drinks?

Does it flare up with cold drinks?

flare up=get suddenly worse

clearer
✓ That narrows it down.

Helps identify the cause

Common when the cause is clearer

Quick answers

check: what to say in English

Say “Could you take a look?” — could you take a look. Natural way to start at a clinic.

pulsing: what to say in English

Say “My back tooth's been throbbing.” — ongoing pain in a back tooth. throbbing=steady pulsing pain.

worse: what to say in English

Say “Does it flare up with cold drinks?” — does it flare up with cold drinks. flare up=get suddenly worse.

clearer: what to say in English

Say “That narrows it down.” — helps identify the cause. Common when the cause is clearer.

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