Toothaches are a common complaint, ranging from minor discomfort to severe pain. With many possible causes, it’s hard to know sometimes whether your toothache can be treated at home or whether it’s a true dental emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent complications.
At Smile Solutions Dentistry, we understand the importance of seeking timely dental care. We want our patients to be able to recognize the difference between minor pain and a dental emergency, ensuring they get the treatment they need. If you’re dealing with a toothache, keep reading to learn how to determine the best course of action.
Common Causes of Toothaches
The first step in determining whether your toothache is an emergency is identifying its likely cause. There’s a plethora of reasons you could be feeling pain or discomfort in your teeth or gums, including:
- Tooth decay: Cavities can expose the sensitive inner layers of the teeth, causing pain when eating or drinking certain things.
- Gum disease: Inflammation and infection in the gums can cause discomfort.
- Dental abscess: Abscesses are painful, severe infections in the teeth or gums.
- Cracked or damaged tooth: Trauma or wear to the teeth can be incredibly painful.
- Impacted wisdom teeth: If wisdom teeth grow in wrong, it can cause pressure and swelling in the neighboring teeth and gums.
- Sinus infection: Sinus infections can cause radiating facial pain that mimics dental issues.
- Teething or loose teeth: Children commonly experience pain and inflammation while teething, when their baby teeth become loose, and as a result of the primary and secondary molars coming in.
Signs Your Toothache Might Not Be an Emergency
If your toothache is temporary and there’s no swelling, fever, or visible signs of infection, it’s probably not an emergency. Temporary pain after biting into something hard or occasional sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods is not necessarily urgent, especially if the discomfort responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers. Still, you should schedule a dental appointment soon to prevent your symptoms from worsening and determine whether there’s something more going on.
Signs Your Toothache is a Dental Emergency
Signs your toothache is a dental emergency include:
- Severe, persistent pain that doesn’t subside with painkillers.
- Swelling in the face or jaw, which could indicate a spreading infection.
- Fever or malaise, which can be signs that infection is affecting the body.
- A visible abscess or pus indicating an infection, often requiring immediate drainage.
- Bleeding that won’t stop could be tied to dental trauma or advanced gum disease.
- A knocked-out or broken tooth needs immediate care for the best chance of saving the tooth.
What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency
If you suspect your toothache is a dental emergency, don’t ignore it. When you delay dental care, you risk needing more complex and expensive treatment down the line. Beyond tooth loss, there’s the possibility of infection spreading to other areas like the jaw, neck, and bloodstream. When infection spreads, it comes with the risk of overall health issues like heart disease.
Don’t procrastinate — call your dentist immediately. Many offer same-day appointments for emergencies, allowing you to get the care you need as soon as possible. In the meantime, follow your dentist’s instructions, which may include keeping the area clean by rinsing with salt water or using a cold compress for swelling. Avoid putting aspirin directly on your gums, as it can cause burns.
If your tooth is knocked out, keep it moist by putting it in milk or saline and get help within an hour for the best chance of saving it.
Preventing Toothaches and Dental Emergencies
No one likes a toothache, especially when it’s a dental emergency. Maintaining your oral health is key to preventing painful issues, which is why it’s so important to brush and floss daily and attend regular dental checkups and cleanings.
If you grind your teeth at night or play sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. You should also avoid chewing ice or very hard foods.
Emergency Dental Care at Smile Solutions Dentistry
If you need emergency dental care, call Smile Solutions Dentistry right away. We can get you the treatment you need as soon as possible, helping to protect our oral health and find relief from pain. Whether it’s a sports injury, an abscess, a cracked tooth, or persistent bleeding, our compassionate team is here for you.
Give us a call at 737-257-5320 to get started!
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