Dental pain can be a nuisance. Toothaches can make it difficult to eat and focus on our daily tasks, whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain. But is that toothache a cause for concern? Dr. Mark Berenshteyn of SmileCare Dental explains when to seek immediate dental care for a toothache.
“There are many reasons why you may be experiencing tooth pain,” says Dr. Mark. “Some of these may be dental emergencies while others can wait until your next appointment. But when you’re in pain, I know it can be difficult to know if it’s something that requires immediate attention.”
Dr. Mark explains the most common causes of tooth pain are:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Infection
- Bruxism
- Impacted teeth
Most Common Causes of Tooth Pain
Let’s take a look at each of these reasons behind toothaches to see how they can lead to dental pain.
Cavities
Cavities eat away at the enamel and dentin layers of your teeth. If they are deep enough, they can penetrate into the deeper layers of your tooth, leading to pain and even infection.
Impacted Teeth
Erupting teeth, such as wisdom teeth, can sometimes become impacted. This means the tooth cannot fully emerge from the gums and it can lead to pain.
Infection
Untreated cavities can lead to infections, as can gum disease, or cracked teeth. An infection can cause severe pain or discomfort, as well as swelling and tooth sensitivity.
Bruxism
Bruxism is the dental word for teeth grinding. Prolonged tooth grinding can put stress on your teeth, causing pain and even damage to your teeth.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can cause tooth pain in a few different ways. In its early stages it can cause bleeding of the gums and inflammation throughout your mouth. Advanced gum disease (Periodontitis) can cause bone loss gum recession which causes the gums to pull away from the tooth. This exposes the tooth root, making the tooth more sensitive. At its larger stages, gum disease can cause enough bone loss for your teeth to loosen and fall out.
Signs Your Toothache Is an Emergency That Requires Dental Attention
Toothaches can be a minor annoyance, or they can be severe and impact our daily lives. Dr. Mark explains the following are signs that your toothache is serious:
Severe and Persistent Pain
Seek professional dental help if your toothache is unbearable. If pain relievers do not offer relief or your pain persists for several days, it may be a sign that something more serious, such as an abscess, has occurred.
Swelling
Swelling in the face or gums is often a sign of infection. Dental infections can spread to other parts of your body, so it is important to seek care immediately.
Fever
A toothache that is accompanied by a fever is another sign of an infection. Fever is often a sign that your body is trying to fight off an infection. 1
Pus or Bleeding Gum
If you notice pus around a tooth or bleeding at the gums, you may have gum disease or an advanced infection. Pus is an indicator of an abscess so call your dentist right away.
Cracked Tooth
If you break, crack, chip, or knock out a tooth, this is a dental emergency. A knocked-out tooth may be able to be placed back in the gums if you act quickly enough.
Difficulty Swallowing or Breathing
A tooth infection that spreads to other areas can cause issues with breathing and swallowing. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately.
- So schedule an appointment with your dentist right away to start antibiotics to prevent the infection from worsening. ↩︎
If you are experiencing a toothache and are unsure whether it is an emergency or not, Dr. Mark suggests taking the following action.
- Rinse with warm saltwater to reduce inflammation and clean the area
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to assist with pain or discomfort
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Avoid things that can irritate the mouth, such as drastic changes in temperature or foods or drinks that are acidic or sugary
If in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Not all toothaches are emergencies, but if left untreated a minor issue can become a big problem. SmileCare Dental treats dental emergencies and is here to help. Schedule an appointment today by calling 978-345-5563.
