Is a Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?

A toothache is always a sign of a problem with your gums or teeth. If your toothache persists for several days, chances are that you have an infected tooth or an even worse case.

Failure to seek medical care could leave you with permanent damage. When will you need to rush to the ER?

If you have a terrible toothache, you might want to visit The Waterford Dentist and receive prompt, high-quality medical attention.

What Causes Toothaches?

The most common causes of toothaches are:

• Cavities: Severe cavities east away the dentin and enamel layers surrounding the teeth. Once they become more proud, you might experience pain while eating and chewing, especially when they eat sugary foods.
• Infected Teeth: A cavity could cause tooth infection if left untreated. With the nerves in your tooth structure slowly dying away, you may experience severe discomfort and pain. Shortly afterward, you might experience increased tooth sensitivity and swollen gums close to the infected region.
• Trauma: Another cause of toothaches is trauma to the oral cavity. Such injuries resulting from slips falls, and hard hits during contact sports could cause pain in your gums and jaw, similar to a toothache. There is also a possibility that your teeth could be broken or cracked.
• Bruxism: There are cases where severe and prolonged bruxism can exert stress on the roots of your teeth and ligaments, causing them to ache. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to remedy the situation and prevent any further damage.

Depending on the root cause of your toothache, you might require various treatment options such as fillings, root canals, and nightguards.

When is Tooth Pain Considered Serious?

Toothache symptoms vary from patient to patient. The more severe symptoms that could necessitate a visit to a dentist for emergency services include tooth sensitivity, gum inflation, severe toothache, and loose teeth.

In severe cases, a toothache could cause fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Severe Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is the most common sign of toothache. It will typically present as a persistent, aching pain that could worsen when touched or exposed to cold or hot temperatures. While minor tooth pain resulting from a toothache can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, more severe tooth pain should be a sign for you to visit our 24-hour dentist in Waterford.

Inflamed Gums

Exposure to the tooth root is also a leading cause of toothaches. It could be a result of gum recession or advanced tooth decay. If the periodontal disease causes gum recession and subsequent toothaches, the patient is likely to experience gum swelling sensitivity and pain. Such symptoms ought to be treated as a dental emergency.

Tooth Sensitivity

Exposure to tooth roots can also cause tooth sensitivity which leads to toothache. The condition worsens when the teeth are exposed to hot or cold air, beverages, or food. In more severe cases, merely taking a deep breath could increase tooth sensitivity levels. If this happens to you, you need to seek prompt dental care.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

If the root cause of your toothache is an infection, you will likely experience swollen lymph nodes. Additionally, if this infection is so widespread, it affects your general health.

Loose Teeth

Another situation that can make a toothache a dental emergency is having a loose tooth. In such cases, the risk of losing your tooth supersedes the discomfort caused by the toothache. Therefore, you will require emergency dental services to preserve the tooth and alleviate any discomfort caused by the toothache.

Can toothache cause death?

No, a toothache in itself isn’t fatal. However, if you fail to treat an infection in your tooth, it could spread to the rest of your body. As a result, you could become sick, and the illness could be life-threatening. Therefore, if your toothache isn’t improving, you should visit your dentist.

Benefits of Emergency Dental Care for toothaches

First and foremost, receiving prompt dental care relieves you from the pain and discomfort caused by your condition.

Second, it helps prevent any further costly implications.

For instance, if you do not go for a root canal, your infected tooth could die and require extraction or more costly and invasive procedures such as dentures and dental bridges.

Lastly, seeking emergency dental care gives you peace of mind. After knowing your condition is under control, you can go about your business without worries.

Contact our 24-Hour Dentist

Are you experiencing any signs similar to those of a dental emergency? Consider scheduling an appointment with our dentist at The Waterford Dentist.

We will find the cause of your toothache and offer innovative solutions to restore your health.