If left untreated, certain dental conditions can worsen quickly, leading to infections, tooth loss, or damage to surrounding tissues.
Our team at Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center in Tacoma and Lakewood, Washington, provides on-site care for dental emergencies. We always encourage our patients to check in with our office whenever they’re not sure about their oral health. But how do you know when to call?
Here are a few facts that might help clarify your decision about when to seek emergency dental care.
Toothaches can develop for several reasons. Common causes include:
Teeth grinding, sinus infections, and jaw-related issues can also cause tooth pain that ranges from mild to severe. You may also experience pain from ill-fitting or damaged dental appliances.
The underlying cause often drives the severity of your pain. Some people experience a dull, intermittent ache, while others experience sharp, throbbing pain that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
Because of the plethora of nerves in the dental region, a problem in one tooth can cause pain throughout the jaw and even into the sinuses and cheeks.
Not every toothache requires emergency treatment. However, ignoring severe symptoms may allow an underlying condition to worsen, potentially affecting your oral and overall health.
We generally consider tooth pain a dental emergency when the pain is severe or accompanied by swelling, fever, bleeding, or signs of infection.
We recommend you seek emergency dental care if:
These symptoms may indicate a serious infection or injury that requires prompt treatment to prevent further complications.
One of the more serious causes of a toothache is a dental abscess. This occurs when bacteria infect the tooth or surrounding tissues, creating a pocket of pus. Abscesses can spread to other areas of the body without treatment.
Symptoms of a tooth abscess include severe throbbing pain, a pimple-like lump in the gums, facial swelling, sensitivity to hot and cold, and swollen lymph nodes.
If you’re experiencing a toothache, there are a few steps you can take to manage discomfort until you receive professional care.
Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help reduce inflammation. Cold compresses to the outside of the cheek can help decrease swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also help.
Don’t place aspirin directly on the gums, however, since this can irritate oral tissues. Most importantly, don’t delay seeking treatment if symptoms are severe.
These efforts won’t “fix” the underlying issue, but they can help ease discomfort until you get to our office.
Persistent or severe pain, swelling, fever, and signs of infection often indicate the need for urgent dental care. Prompt evaluation and treatment can help relieve discomfort, prevent complications, and protect your oral health.
Call Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center to ensure prompt care for dental emergencies. We’re here to help.
