Is the ada website the best source for choosing a dentist? any dentists on here have other resource ideas to find a good one? gum pain.

Finding a dentist.: Personally, i think the best way to find a good dentist is to get recommendations from people who are intelligent, whom you respect as well as trust their judgement. It could be friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, or other healthcare professionals. That's where i get the vast majority of new patient referrals from.

Local periodontist.: If you call a local periodontist (gum specialist), they can give you names of good dentists in your area.

Ask: Ask everyone you know. Some names will be mentioned by more than one person. Check online, although that's also a personal, not a professional reference. Best suggestion, ask dental specialists which general dentists they recommend. Know that as you have painful gums, which may be from diseased teeth and/or diseased gums, you need to see someone now.