When Severe Oral Pain May Be a Dental Emergency

Wondering when tooth pain is a symptom of a dental emergency? Sometimes you can wait until you are free to see the dentist, but how do you know when to treat the condition as an emergency and see the dentist immediately? Continue reading to find out. Tooth pain is hardly fun to deal with and can often be a sign of a dental emergency. Severe oral pain means something is wrong, which could be due to an injury or infection. It is important that you visit the dental professional as soon as possible to have the teeth checked.

When oral pain points to a dental emergency

The following are dental emergencies that may contribute to severe oral pain:

• Cavities: The buildup of plaque or tartar on the tooth enamel breaks it down, creating a hole or cavity. Once the cavity reaches a certain level, it starts to cause severe pain when eating and chewing, especially hot, cold, or sweet foods
• Tooth infection: If a cavity is left untreated, the tooth will become infected. After the infection attacks the tooth’s nerves, patients will experience severe pain and discomfort, often followed by tooth sensitivity and gum swelling around the infected tooth
• Oral trauma: Severe oral pain may occur after suffering a hard blow to the face during sports or a bad fall. The teeth, gums, and jaw may hurt badly. There is a chance one or more teeth may crack or break due to the impact
• Bruxism: Commonly called teeth grinding, bruxism puts undue stress on the tooth ligaments and tooth, causing oral pain. The habit also tends to cause rapid deterioration of the tooth enamel. The longer the habit goes unchecked, the more damage can be incurred

Why oral pain is a dental emergency

If the oral pain persists for more than two days and becomes unbearable, it should be treated as a dental emergency. Pain is usually the body’s way of signaling a problem. Without treatment, the condition worsens gradually. If it is a tooth infection, the dental pulp will start dying, resulting in debilitating discomfort. The tooth will die and will either fall out or require extraction.

If the pain is due to gum disease, the gums will continue to recess and other structures supporting the tooth will suffer damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States.

Undergoing emergency dental treatment for oral pain ensures timely relief from the condition. The dentist will assess the oral cavity, determine the origin of the pain and provide necessary treatment to address the issue. Additionally, getting treatment for oral pain immediately prevents complications that may require costly and invasive procedures. For instance, if tooth loss occurs or a tooth needs to be extracted, it will have to be replaced with a dental restoration like an implant or dental bridge. These devices cost more than timely treatment with a solution like a root canal or dental filling.

Avoid having a dental emergency

Knowing when severe oral pain is a dental emergency will ensure you get treatment on time. If you have been experiencing certain symptoms like toothache, make sure you book an appointment with a dentist immediately. Contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://princewilliamdental.com or call Prince William Dental at (703) 662-8287 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.

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