The world can seemingly come to a screeching halt when you experience a bad toothache; the pain can even be so debilitating that it totally derails whatever you’re doing! However, in other instances, the pain might not seem bad at all—so how do you know when you’re supposed to go see your emergency dentist about it? Here’s more about tooth pain and when it’s often considered an emergency situation, along with a few of the most common causes for the issue.
Is Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?
If you’re experiencing persistent tooth pain that refuses to subside, you should seek help from your dentist promptly. Tooth pain isn’t something that tends to dissipate on its own—after all, the pain is a symptom of a problem that’ll need to be identified by a trained eye. If allowed to continue, severe problems could result. The CDC recommends that dental emergencies should be handled within 24 hours of their onset but depending on their severity and the extent of the damage, it’s often advisable to seek treatment as quickly as you can.
What Usually Causes Tooth Pain?
There is no cut-and-dry answer here, as everybody’s smiles are different, and encounter different situations on a daily basis. If it isn’t obvious, your dentist will be able to determine the origin of the issue upon inspecting your mouth. That said, here are some of the most common culprits:
- Tooth decay – If you have a cavity that’s resulted from untreated decay, you’ll likely experience a good deal of pain since your enamel is compromised. This is further amplified when biting into hot or cold objects.
- Oral infection – If a cavity is left untreated for too long, it can lead to the entire tooth becoming infected. When this happens, usually a root canal is needed to drain the infected innards of the tooth and restore it. In extreme cases, extraction is necessary.
- Oral trauma – When you sustain a blow to the mouth or face, needless to say, it can severely injure one of your teeth and cause a lot of pain until the issue’s addressed.
- Gum disease – Poor oral hygiene can often lead to gum disease, which when allowed to progress, can cause gum recession, swelling, inflammation, and even total tooth loss.
- Bruxism – This condition is characterized by teeth grinding, and it can lead to painful wear and tear on your teeth in addition to chronic jaw pain due to the stress put on the teeth.
Toothaches aren’t something that should be ignored or endured—contacting your dentist quickly might be the difference between a minor thing being quickly resolved or a serious issue being allowed to worsen.
About the Practice
The team at Newton Corner Dental Care is thrilled to provide patients and families in the Newton, MA area with an exceptional level of care. They offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency treatment options. If you or a loved one is suffering from a persistent toothache, don’t hesitate to contact the practice for assistance: (617) 332-6232.
