Toothache And Emergency Dentistry

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.

5. More Causes: A dental injury or cracked tooth; Wisdom teeth coming through; Gum disease.

If you are experiencing significant pain and discomfort, and your toothache has persisted for more than two days, it may constitute a dental emergency. Persistent toothaches often indicate an underlying issue such as an infected tooth or dental caries (cavities). Delaying treatment can worsen the condition, potentially allowing the infection to spread to the dental pulp, which supports the tooth internally. This may result in increased discomfort and the potential for irreversible damage, such as a non-vital (dead) tooth. Seeking prompt care from a dentist can prevent the issue from escalating and safeguard your oral health.

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.

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.