Introduction
Learning Brazilian Portuguese dental vocabulary is very useful if you live in Brazil, travel to Brazil, or want to speak Portuguese in real-life situations. A visit to the dentist can feel stressful even in your native language, so knowing the right words helps you explain pain, understand instructions, and feel more confident.
In this guide, you will learn common words related to the dentist, teeth, dental checkups, oral hygiene, braces, cavities, and dental procedures. The vocabulary is adapted to Brazilian Portuguese, using natural terms that Brazilians commonly say.
Basic Dental Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
The most important word is:
o dentista / a dentista
dentist
In Portuguese, dentista can be masculine or feminine. The article changes:
o dentista
the male dentist
a dentista
the female dentist
Another essential word is:
o dente
tooth
Plural:
os dentes
teeth
Examples
Eu preciso ir ao dentista.
I need to go to the dentist.
Meu dente está doendo.
My tooth hurts.
Tenho uma consulta com a dentista amanhã.
I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow.
Parts of the Tooth in Brazilian Portuguese
When talking about dental problems, it helps to know the basic parts of the tooth.
o esmalte
enamel
a gengiva
gum
o nervo
nerve
a raiz
root
a coroa do dente
tooth crown
Natural Brazilian Portuguese Examples
Minha gengiva está sensível.
My gum is sensitive.
O esmalte dos dentes precisa de cuidado.
The tooth enamel needs care.
A raiz do dente está inflamada.
The root of the tooth is inflamed.
Types of Teeth in Portuguese
Here are common names for different teeth in Brazilian Portuguese.
o incisivo
incisor
o canino
canine tooth
o pré-molar
premolar
o molar
molar
In everyday conversation, many Brazilians also say:
dente da frente
front tooth
dente de trás
back tooth
dente do siso
wisdom tooth
Examples
Meu dente da frente quebrou.
My front tooth broke.
Meu dente do siso está nascendo.
My wisdom tooth is coming in.
Sinto dor em um molar.
I feel pain in a molar.
Dental Checkup Vocabulary
In Brazil, you may hear both check-up and consulta de rotina. For a more natural Brazilian Portuguese phrase, use:
a consulta de rotina no dentista
routine dental appointment
o check-up odontológico
dental checkup
a limpeza dentária
dental cleaning
a avaliação odontológica
dental evaluation
Vocabulary from the Dentist’s Office
a cadeira do dentista / a cadeira odontológica
dentist’s chair
a pia
sink
a cuspideira
spittoon, the small basin used at the dentist
o refletor
dental light
a sonda exploradora
dental probe
o babador odontológico
dental bib
The picture uses o avental, which means “apron.” In Brazilian Portuguese, for the protective cover placed on the patient during dental treatment, babador odontológico is more specific and natural.
Examples
Vou fazer uma consulta de rotina no dentista.
I’m going for a routine dental appointment.
A dentista usou o refletor para examinar meus dentes.
The dentist used the light to examine my teeth.
Sente-se na cadeira do dentista, por favor.
Please sit in the dentist’s chair.
Oral Hygiene Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
These words are essential for talking about daily dental care.
escovar os dentes
to brush your teeth
usar fio dental
to floss
o fio dental
dental floss
a escova de dentes
toothbrush
a pasta de dente
toothpaste
o enxaguante bucal
mouthwash
a placa bacteriana
plaque
o mau hálito
bad breath
Examples
Eu escovo os dentes três vezes ao dia.
I brush my teeth three times a day.
Você usa fio dental todos os dias?
Do you floss every day?
A placa bacteriana pode causar cárie.
Plaque can cause cavities.
Common Dental Problems in Portuguese
If you need to explain a dental issue, these words are very useful.
a dor de dente
toothache
a cárie
cavity, tooth decay
a gengiva inflamada
inflamed gum
o sangramento na gengiva
gum bleeding
o dente quebrado
broken tooth
o dente sensível
sensitive tooth
a infecção
infection
Examples
Estou com dor de dente.
I have a toothache.
Acho que estou com uma cárie.
I think I have a cavity.
Minha gengiva está sangrando.
My gum is bleeding.
Meu dente está muito sensível.
My tooth is very sensitive.
Dental Treatments and Procedures
These are common words you may hear during a dental appointment in Brazil.
a obturação
filling
a extração
extraction
o tratamento de canal
root canal treatment
a limpeza
cleaning
a anestesia
anesthesia
a radiografia dentária / o raio-X dentário
dental X-ray
a broca
drill
a faceta
veneer
a coroa dentária
dental crown
a dentadura
dentures
The picture shows a dentadura postiça, but in Brazil, people usually just say a dentadura.
Examples
Preciso fazer uma obturação.
I need to get a filling.
O dentista pediu uma radiografia dentária.
The dentist requested a dental X-ray.
Vou fazer uma limpeza no dentista.
I’m going to get a dental cleaning.
Ela usa dentadura.
She wears dentures.
Braces and Orthodontic Vocabulary
For orthodontic treatment, Brazilians commonly use these words:
o aparelho ortodôntico
braces
o aparelho
braces, informal
o alinhador transparente
clear aligner
o ortodontista / a ortodontista
orthodontist
a manutenção do aparelho
braces adjustment
Examples
Eu uso aparelho ortodôntico.
I wear braces.
Tenho manutenção do aparelho amanhã.
I have a braces adjustment tomorrow.
Estou usando alinhador transparente.
I’m using clear aligners.
Useful Phrases at the Dentist in Brazilian Portuguese
These phrases are practical for real conversations.
Estou com dor de dente.
I have a toothache.
Meu dente está sensível ao frio.
My tooth is sensitive to cold.
Minha gengiva está doendo.
My gum hurts.
Preciso marcar uma consulta.
I need to schedule an appointment.
Quanto custa a consulta?
How much does the appointment cost?
O meu plano cobre esse tratamento?
Does my insurance cover this treatment?
Preciso de uma limpeza dentária.
I need a dental cleaning.
Estou com medo de sentir dor.
I’m afraid of feeling pain.
Vai precisar de anestesia?
Will anesthesia be needed?
Brazilian Portuguese Vocabulary List: Dentist and Teeth
| Português Brasileiro | English |
|---|---|
| o dentista / a dentista | dentist |
| o dente | tooth |
| os dentes | teeth |
| a gengiva | gum |
| o esmalte | enamel |
| o nervo | nerve |
| a raiz | root |
| o incisivo | incisor |
| o canino | canine tooth |
| o pré-molar | premolar |
| o molar | molar |
| a dor de dente | toothache |
| a cárie | cavity |
| a placa bacteriana | plaque |
| o fio dental | dental floss |
| escovar os dentes | to brush teeth |
| usar fio dental | to floss |
| a obturação | filling |
| a extração | extraction |
| a broca | drill |
| a radiografia dentária | dental X-ray |
| o aparelho ortodôntico | braces |
| a dentadura | dentures |
| a limpeza dentária | dental cleaning |
| a consulta de rotina | routine appointment |
Brazilian Portuguese vs. Portugal Portuguese Notes
Most words in the image are understandable in both Brazil and Portugal, but some expressions sound more natural in Brazilian Portuguese.
In Brazil, people often say consulta de rotina or check-up odontológico instead of only check-up.
For the dental chair, Brazilians commonly say cadeira do dentista or cadeira odontológica.
For the small sink attached to the dental chair, cuspideira is more specific than lavatório.
For dentures, dentadura is more common than dentadura postiça in everyday Brazilian Portuguese.
For a patient’s protective cover, babador odontológico is more precise than avental.
Conclusion
Learning Brazilian Portuguese dental vocabulary helps you communicate clearly at the dentist and understand common instructions about oral health. Start with basic words like o dente, a gengiva, a cárie, a dor de dente, escovar os dentes, and usar fio dental. Then, practice useful phrases so you can describe symptoms, schedule appointments, and talk about treatments with confidence.
Whether you are learning Portuguese for travel, daily life, or professional communication, dental vocabulary is a practical part of real-world Brazilian Portuguese.
