Is My Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?

A toothache always needs dental attention. Whether your pain is mild or severe, you need dental care because the problem causing your toothache won’t heal without treatment.

However, a toothache doesn’t always require emergency care. At TLN Family Dental, our caring team understands the urgency of relieving your dental pain and preserving your tooth. That’s why we offer same-day emergency dentistry services.

Call the office if you’re unsure whether you need a same-day appointment. In the meantime, these four questions can help you decide if your toothache is an urgent dental matter:

Question 1: How bad is your pain?

The level of pain generally reflects the extent of the problem and when to seek dental care:

Severe pain

A severe toothache always needs emergency dental care. Excruciating pain is a sign of extensive tooth decay, a pulp infection (abscessed tooth), or an injury like a deep crack.

These conditions give bacteria a pathway to the pulp in the tooth’s center. Nerves reside in the pulp, which explains the severe pain.

After reaching the pulp, bacteria can travel into the gum, causing infection and inflammation. Without treatment, inflammation erodes the jawbone, putting you at risk of tooth loss.

Bacteria can also move from your gums into your bloodstream, causing inflammation in other body areas. This inflammation contributes to chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Moderate pain

The middle ground of moderate pain makes the decision more difficult. However, it’s best to protect your dental health and schedule a same-day or next-day appointment.

Mild pain

Mild pain can usually wait a few days, as long as it doesn’t suddenly get worse, and then it’s a dental emergency.

Question 2: How long have you had a toothache?

Toothaches may come and go, but if the pain persists for two days or longer, you should schedule an emergency (same-day) appointment.

Question 3: Do you have other symptoms?

You may have other symptoms along with your toothache. Whether your pain is mild, moderate, or severe, you need emergency dental care if you have any of the following:

• Fever
• Swollen or red gums
• Earache
• Small lump on your gum
• Swollen face, neck, or jaw
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Sensitivity to pressure
• Pain when biting or chewing

These symptoms are red flags that you have an infection.

Question 4: Did you lose a filling, bridge, or other restoration?

Dental restorations include fillings, bridges, veneers, crowns, implants, and implant-supported dentures. Though restorations usually last many years, they tend to eventually loosen or fall out. They can also crack or chip, just like tooth enamel.

Promptly replacing a damaged, loose, or lost restoration is essential. However, it’s not an emergency unless you’re in pain or the restoration or tooth has sharp, uncomfortable edges.

Caring for a toothache

The following self-care tips may ease dental pain while you wait for your appointment:

Gently brush and floss

Removing food particles prevents them from irritating the tooth and helps eliminate bacteria.

Swish with warm salt water

Warm salt water eases inflammation and helps relieve pain. To make salt water, mix one-half teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water.

Apply an ice pack

If you don’t have an ice pack, wrap a clean towel around ice cubes or frozen vegetables. Place it against your cheek for 20 minutes. You can use an ice pack several times daily.

Take a pain reliever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) relieves pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation. If you have red, swollen gums, choose an anti-inflammatory pain reliever like ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®) or naproxen (Aleve® and Naprosyn®).

Aspirin precautions: Children and teens should never take aspirin. You also should never place aspirin on a tooth — it can irritate the tooth or injure your gums because it’s highly acidic.

Schedule a dental appointment

Don’t put off scheduling a dental visit. Diagnosing and treating the problem that’s causing your toothache is the only way to alleviate your pain and prevent a more severe dental issue — and we’re here to help. Call or click online to book an appointment at TLN Family Dental in Houston or Pearland, Texas, today.