When Is Tooth Pain Considered a Dental Emergency?

Toothaches can be caused by infection, decay, dental trauma, or accidental injuries. Decay or infection inside the inner chamber of your tooth needs immediate attention, as the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and infect other parts of your body. Severe tooth injuries also need urgent care to prevent losing your tooth prematurely. Your Aliso Viejo emergency dentist, Dr. Chithra Tiruveedula, will evaluate your tooth, determine the cause of your pain, and recommend the best recovery treatment.

Toothaches can be mild or severe and may feel different for different people. Your pain may start mild and intensify over time, or come on sharply and not let up! Some people experience more pain when they talk or chew. Left unchecked, your tooth pain may morph into head or facial pain before long.  

Any time you experience persistent, throbbing tooth pain, you should contact your dentist. Intense pain could be a sign of severe tooth damage or an infection inside your tooth that’s impaired the nerve. Pain that disrupts your work, school, or ability to eat or sleep qualifies as a dental emergency. Here are some additional scenarios when tooth pain requires emergency care:

• Pain caused by dental trauma or accidental mouth or face injury.
• Throbbing pain accompanied by a fever or gum swelling.
• Extreme tooth sensitivity that lingers.
• Escalating pain after a dental treatment.
• Pain accompanied by uncontrolled bleeding.

There are various dental treatments for tooth decay, depending on the severity of your condition. Most cavities can be treated with dental fillings. Severe decay inside your tooth may require a root canal. Tooth abscesses may need to be treated with antibiotics first to control the infection, and then drained before a root canal is performed. Pain caused by structural damage to your tooth can be eased with a dental crown.

A severe toothache won’t go away on its own. Chances are, your condition will worsen over time. An emergency dentist can pinpoint the source of your pain, manage your symptoms, and provide prompt treatment that can save your tooth from irreparable harm. Emergency dental care can lead to quicker healing and a successful outcome that restores your oral health.