February 15, 2021
Is toothache an emergency or it can wait
Ask yourself that when your tooth is aching! It can be annoying and very painful.
There may be several reasons for it. If you think you can wait for a good amount of time, you can call up and make an appointment with your dentist.
If you cannot, there are clinics that offer emergency dentistry and keep open slots on all days of the week.
Anyway, the toothache is a warning signal that there might be a cavity, a root infection, or gum trouble.
So, when should you consult your doctor immediately and when can you wait it out?
Let’s find out.
Common Causes of Toothache
Whether or not you can wait till you get an appointment, or whether you are unable to visit immediately due to other commitments, the type of toothache can be the deciding factor.
Here are a few of the common causes of pain in your mouth.
Cavity or Infection
If your tooth has developed a cavity or infection, it can become worse with time.
If you decide to delay its treatment it can spread and affect the inner pulp. You would experience problems in biting and munching.
It is recommended that you get the cavity filled at the earliest. It might lead to a root canal infection or a cracked tooth.
Root Canal Pain
A toothache that needs root canal therapy has some typical signs besides pain.
There is pain on touching it, sensitivity to heat and cold, gum swelling, and an ache that seems to go shooting down.
It indicates that the infection has spread to the bottom and you might need a root canal treatment. The sooner you do it, the better it will be.
Dental Abscess
Abscesses are little pockets of pus in the mouth that can cause toothache. This usually happens due to food or particle lodgement in between teeth.
Such wedging of foreign matter causes infection, swelling, and pressure among the teeth. Consult your dentist immediately.
Wisdom Tooth Ache
Another reason for toothache could be growing molars, and you can wait for a little if you have identified it.
In case you have not developed your wisdom teeth yet, maybe they are crowning now, causing the ache.
It puts pressure on the adjoining teeth and the gums, causing persistent pain. It is better to show the growth to your dentist to check it’s growing properly.
Jaw Joint Disorder
The jaw also has joints that sometimes develop a painful condition. It is not classified as an emergency, and you can take anti-inflammatory drugs and make an appointment.
It is called TBJ and its pain may extend to teeth causing a toothache. A dental surgeon who specializes in the oral cavity can examine, diagnose the problem and prescribe the proper treatment. It is not an emergency.
Trauma
A forceful impact injury or trauma to the face and jawline may cause toothache as well. It should be attended to immediately.
You may have loosened or fractured a tooth or two. It calls for an emergency dental appointment to address impending oral issues.
Gum Disorders
Periodontal disease and gingivitis is also common reason for a toothache.
Though the pain in the teeth is a side effect of gum disorders, it can be pretty serious and damage the jawbone.
Warm saline mouthwash eases the pain and inflammation. If you are busy at work, you may wait a day or two, but do make an appointment with your dental surgeon.
Also Read: When and Why Do You Need a Root Canal Treatment?
When Should I Consider My Toothache a Dental Emergency?
Observe your pain for some time and contact a dental clinic nearby if you have:
- Severe pain
- A continuous pain persisting for 2 days or more
- Trouble opening the mouth
- Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
- Fever and headache
How Do I Contact an Emergency Dentist Near Me?
As we mentioned before, there are clinics that are open 24×7, and also weekend dentists.
If you have an injury or a situation with a risk of losing a tooth, do not wait, it is an emergency.
You can go ahead and visit Kirkland Premier Dentistry in Kirkland, WA. We provide immediate service for bleeding, loose or severed tooth, swelling, severed and lip tear, etc.
On the internet, you can search for an emergency dentist near me and make contact.
We strive to provide premium service to relieve you of pain and put your beautiful smile back on.
For any kind of dental emergency, feel free to contact us online or call the office.
