Toothache & Emergency Dentistry

Toothache & Emergency Dentistry

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of reasons, which can range from mild to severe. It could be caused because of a foreign object stuck in your teeth or due to infected or broken teeth. To prevent your teeth from getting damaged, it is important to recognize when your toothache could grow into a dental emergency. In the following sections, we will discuss the common causes of a toothache and when it could constitute a dental emergency.

Common Causes of Toothaches

Followings are some common dental problems that can lead to a toothache –

1. Cavity: When you develop a cavity, it eats into the hard layers of enamel and dentin surrounding the teeth. It is often accompanied by pain during eating and chewing, especially when you eat excessively sweet foods.

2. Tooth infection: When you leave your cavity untreated, it could lead to an infection. This is caused as the nerves inside the teeth slowly die, which can lead to serious discomfort and pain. You might also experience swelling of the gum around the affected area and tooth sensitivity.

3. Oral trauma: You might also experience a toothache when you receive oral trauma because of slipping and falling. This can result in dental injuries like broken or cracked teeth. You might also feel pain in your gums and jaw.

4. Bruxism: Sometimes, prolonged grinding of teeth can put stress on the roots and ligaments of your teeth. This can also cause a toothache..

When Does a Toothache Constitute a Dental Emergency?

If you are experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort, and your toothache has lasted for more than two days, you can consider it to be a dental emergency. In most cases, persistent toothache indicates that you have an infected tooth or a cavity. If emergency dentistry procedures are not undertaken timely, it can lead to worsening of the problem. If the infection progresses, the pulp supporting your tooth from the inside will continue to decay. This can lead to unbearable discomfort and pain later on. It can also lead to a dead tooth. By visiting a dentist timely, you can save your problem from deteriorating.

If you are unsure if your toothache requires an emergency dental procedure, you can ask yourself the following questions –

Is the pain severe? If there is bleeding or severe pain, it is a sign of an emergency.

Do you have any teeth that are loose? A loose tooth in adults can be a problem, whether there is any pain or not.

Do you see any signs of infection? If you notice any knots and swelling in your gums, then it is important to treat it as a dental emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies

1. When you have a toothache that is not explainable.
2. When your gums are bleeding or swollen.
3. Swollen mouth or jaw.
4. Exposed nerves.
5. When your teeth are suddenly knocked out from the mouth.
6. When your dental crown has broken or fallen off.
7. When your teeth have a filling that is missing, it could lead to exposed nerves or other dental problems.
8. A tooth abscess- It does not only lead to tooth sensitivity but might also cause fever and swelling of the face. The infection can spread from the affected area to the surrounding tissue as well.
9. When an object or food is lodged between your teeth.

Benefits of Timely Emergency Dentistry Procedures

The most apparent benefit of getting timely help in a dental emergency is the alleviation of discomfort and pain. When you get an emergency dentistry procedure done at K Family Dental clinic, we will help in determining the cause of your toothache and help in providing you relief at the earliest.


If you are able to get immediate help for your toothache, it can also prevent the development of any further complications. If your tooth dies due to non-treatment, you might have to consider getting a dental bridge, denture, or a dental implant later on. If you get a preventative root canal on time, it can help you save a lot of money in the long run.


If you have addressed the issue timely, your mind will be at peace knowing that the problem is under control. By addressing your toothache timely, you will be able to go back to your day-to-day activities without any worries about your oral health.

Conclusion

The best way to avoid any kind of dental emergency is to remain proactive in your oral hygiene. This means having your routine check-ups at the K Family Dental clinic. At K Family Dental clinic, we customize treatments plans for you so that your dental issues can be addressed before they develop into emergencies. If you feel that you need an emergency dental procedure, then you can contact us at K Family Dental. Our dentists will help in determining the cause of your toothache, and provide you with excellent treatment so that you can be relieved of pain at the earliest. Visit our clinic at Chatswood Village today!