Inglés médico para el dentista: dolores de muelas, caries, limpiezas, empastes y extracciones
Este artículo enseña comunicación en inglés para situaciones de atención sanitaria. No es un diagnóstico ni un consejo de tratamiento dental. Ante hinchazón facial grave, fiebre, incapacidad para abrir la boca, dificultad para tragar o un traumatismo que arranque o rompa un diente, contacta de inmediato con un dentista de urgencias o acude a urgencias.
El inglés dental estadounidense es más accesible de lo que se cree, pero hay algunas palabras concretas que aparecen con frecuencia: cleaning, filling, cavity, root canal, extraction, crown. La habilidad clave es describir qué diente está implicado — arriba o abajo, izquierda o derecha, y la cualidad del dolor. Este artículo se centra en esa descripción.
Vocabulario esencial
| Término | Significado | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| cavity | caries / cavidad en un diente | I think I have a cavity. |
| toothache | dolor de muela o diente | I've had a toothache for two days. |
| filling | empaste / material para rellenar una caries | I need a filling on this tooth. |
| crown | corona que cubre un diente | The dentist recommended a crown. |
| root canal | tratamiento del nervio del diente / endodoncia | Do I need a root canal? |
| extraction / pulling a tooth | extracción de un diente | I might need an extraction. |
| cleaning | dental cleaning / hygiene visit | I'm here for a cleaning. |
| X-ray | dental imaging | When was your last dental X-ray? |
| sensitive | reactive to stimuli | This tooth is really sensitive to cold. |
| upper / lower | upper jaw / lower jaw | It's an upper molar. |
| left / right | left side / right side | The pain is on the right side. |
| molar / premolar / canine / incisor | tooth types (back to front) | The lower right molar. |
| gum / gums | tissue around the teeth | My gums are bleeding when I floss. |
| swelling | puffiness | There's swelling around the tooth. |
| bite down | close your teeth together | It hurts when I bite down. |
| numb / numbing | the freezing / local anesthetic | The numbing should kick in soon. |
| novocaine / lidocaine | local anesthetic drug | I've never had a reaction to lidocaine. |
Frases imprescindibles
- I'd like to schedule a cleaning. / I'm here for my cleaning.
- I think I have a cavity in [location].
- I have a toothache in my [upper / lower] [left / right] [molar / front tooth].
- The pain is [sharp / dull / throbbing / constant / comes and goes].
- It hurts when I [bite down / drink something cold / drink something hot].
- This tooth is sensitive to [cold / hot / sweet things].
- I lost a filling. / A filling fell out.
- I think I cracked a tooth.
- My gums bleed when I [brush / floss].
- It's been [time] since my last cleaning.
- I'd like to discuss the treatment plan and the cost first.
- Does my insurance cover this?
Forma poco natural vs. forma natural
| Menos natural | Más natural |
|---|---|
| My tooth is broken with hole. | I think I have a cavity. |
| Tooth pain when eat ice. | This tooth is sensitive to cold. |
| Tooth above left back. | Upper left molar. |
| The medicine to make sleep tooth. | The numbing / the local anesthetic. |
| Take out tooth. | Extract the tooth. / Have the tooth pulled. |
| Wash teeth. | Get a cleaning. / Have my teeth cleaned. |
Diálogo situacional
Escenario 1: Pedir cita en recepción
Receptionist: Thanks for calling. How can I help?
You: Hi, I'd like to schedule a cleaning. I'm a new patient.
Receptionist: Sure. Do you have dental insurance?
You: Yes, I have Delta Dental. Could you check if you're in-network?
Receptionist: I'll check. The next available cleaning is in three weeks. Is Tuesday at 10 a.m. OK?
You: That works. Thank you.
Escenario 2: Describir un dolor de muelas en el sillón
Dentist: What brings you in today?
You: I've had a toothache in my lower right molar for about a week. It started as cold sensitivity, and now it hurts whenever I bite down.
Dentist: Is the pain sharp or more of a dull ache?
You: It's a sharp pain that comes when I bite down. Sometimes it throbs at night.
Dentist: Let's take an X-ray to see what's going on.
Plantillas de frases intercambiables
- I have [a toothache / sensitivity / a chipped tooth] in my [upper / lower] [left / right] [tooth type].
- The pain started [TIME] ago, and it's [sharp / dull / throbbing].
- It hurts when I [bite down / drink cold / drink hot / brush].
- I'm here for [a cleaning / a filling / a checkup / an emergency visit].
- Could you walk me through [the treatment plan / the cost / what my insurance covers]?
Práctica
- Di esto en inglés natural: dos semanas de sensibilidad fuerte al agua fría en el canino inferior izquierdo.
- Di esto en inglés natural: anoche se te cayó un empaste mientras comías.
- Di esto en inglés natural: encías que sangran con facilidad al cepillarte.
Respuestas de referencia
- My lower left canine is very sensitive to cold water. It's been about two weeks.
- I lost a filling while eating last night. / A filling fell out last night while I was eating.
- My gums bleed easily when I brush.
Resumen previo a la visita (listo para copiar)
- Reason for visit: Toothache in lower right molar
- Onset: ~1 week ago
- Pain quality: Started as cold sensitivity; now sharp on biting; throbs at night
- Triggers: Cold drinks, biting down
- Other symptoms: No facial swelling, no fever, no jaw locking
- Last cleaning: ~10 months ago
- Last X-ray: ~2 years ago
- Allergies: None / [list, e.g., latex, lidocaine]
- Medical conditions: None / [list, e.g., on blood thinners, pregnant]
- Insurance: [Plan name] — please verify coverage and copay
Una nota sobre los límites médicos
Este artículo es solo para práctica de comunicación en inglés y no ofrece diagnóstico ni consejo de tratamiento dental. Si un diente necesita una endodoncia, una extracción, una corona o un anestésico determinado son decisiones que corresponden a un dentista titulado. Si tienes hinchazón facial grave que se extiende hacia el cuello o la cara, fiebre alta, incapacidad para abrir la boca, dificultad para tragar o para respirar, pueden ser signos de una infección dental que se está extendiendo — acude inmediatamente a urgencias o contacta con un dentista de urgencias.
Lecturas relacionadas
Lesiones en inglés, Cuidado ocular en inglés, Resfriados, fiebre y tos en inglés.