When an urgent problem arises, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as you can. Any dental emergency can be potentially serious which is why it is important to seek immediate medical care. Several things constitute a dental emergency, including a toothache. Read on to learn more about a toothache and when to see a dentist.
Tooth pain or a toothache is caused when a nerve in a tooth’s root or surrounding a tooth is irritated. Some common causes of dental pain include injury, dental infection, loss of teeth and tooth decay. The proper treatment of dental infections is vital because it will prevent its spread to the skull and other parts of the face and even to the bloodstream. Here are some situations a person should see an emergency dentist for a toothache.
A common symptom of a toothache is tooth pain that may be sharp, constant or throbbing. Some people only feel pain when pressure is applied to the tooth. There may be severe pain to cold or hot stimuli. Pain can persist for more than 15 seconds after the removal of the stimulus. As the inflammation areas increases, the pain may become more severe. It may radiate to the jaw, the ear or the cheek. Pain with chewing is also not uncommon.
Treatment for tooth pain can vary depending on the cause. A person can treat a toothache at home with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. People should take them as directed on the package. These medications can help manage a mild toothache.
A person should see an emergency dentist for toothache if the pain relief medications do not help and the pain is severe. The dentist can ensure that the pain is controlled before recommending other treatment options depending on the severity of the problem. If a cavity has caused the problem, the dentist may remove the decayed area and then place a filling. This can be done at the same appointment.
Root canal treatment may be recommended if the cause of the problem is an infection of the nerve of the tooth. This type of infection can be caused by bacteria that get into the inner aspects of a person’s tooth. The treatment may involve one or more dental visits, but at the first appointment, the dentist may focus on helping the patient manage the pain. A person may also need to see a dentist as soon as possible if the pain is linked to the swelling of the face or gums or when broken teeth occur due to an injury.
If you have a toothache, as long as you can manage the pain at home, you do not have to visit an emergency dentist. But if the pain is severe and medications do not help, contact the dentist as soon as you can. It is always advisable to seek treatment early for tooth decay to prevent the development of other serious problems. If you want to find out more about toothache treatment, call a dentist today.
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