Emergency or Not? Understanding Tooth Pain and When to Act

Have you ever experienced a toothache that made it hard to think? Tooth pain can range from a mild annoyance to a severe, almost crippling issue. Knowing when to treat it as a dental emergency can save you from unnecessary discomfort and costly treatments. Continue reading to learn the symptoms of severe tooth issues so you can know when to seek urgent care.

What Causes Tooth Pain?

Toothaches can spring up for many reasons including excessive pressure, extreme temperatures of food and drink, or infection. Your teeth are made up of three layers; enamel, dentin, and pulp. The innermost layer, the pulp, is where their nerve endings are located. These serve as warning sirens for your teeth, alerting you when something is wrong in the form of tooth pain.

Is All Tooth Pain an Emergency?

If you experience infrequent and mild instances of pain in your teeth, it could be simple sensitivity, which isn’t cause for alarm. Biting down too hard on a piece of food or using your teeth as tools can also cause a temporary sting. So, pain isn’t always an emergency, but persistent discomfort is a very good indicator that there’s an urgent issue.

What Makes a Toothache a Dental Emergency?

Certain symptoms, when coupled with tooth pain, signal a need for immediate dental care. Here’s when to consider your tooth pain a dental emergency:

• Severe Pain: Intense pain that doesn’t go away is often a big red flag that there’s a serious problem. This level of discomfort should never be ignored.
• Swelling: Facial swelling, especially if it’s spreading, could be caused by a severe infection. This requires immediate attention, especially if you start to have difficulty swallowing or breathing. If this is the case, the emergency room at a hospital might be your best chance to find relief.
• Fever: A fever along with tooth pain is a serious indicator of an infection that may need urgent treatment.
• Bleeding: Persistent bleeding from the gums or around a tooth can be a sign of trauma or severe gum disease.
• Loose or Knocked-Out Tooth: Any tooth that is loose or has been knocked out due to injury should be treated as an emergency to maximize the chance of saving the tooth.

When In Doubt, Call Your Dentist

If you’re unsure whether your tooth pain is a dental emergency, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and call your dentist. They can often provide guidance over the phone for managing your pain and identifying the severity of your dental issue.

Understanding the difference between minor tooth discomfort and a dental emergency is important for maintaining your oral health and preventing more serious problems. By knowing when to act, you can ensure you receive the right care to keep your smile healthy and pain-free.

About the Practice

If you’ve got tooth pain and need help in Beachwood, Dr. Jed M. Koops and Dr. Thanh Mollica can help at Orange Place Family Dentistry. They use the latest dental technology to diagnose and treat a range of emergency dental situations from toothaches to broken teeth. Call (216) 464-2448 to schedule an emergency dental appointment or visit the website to see other services they offer.