HOW TO KNOW WHEN A TOOTHACHE IS ACTUALLY AN EMERGENCY?

Dental pain can change from mildly irritating to excruciating, very quickly. If you’re suffering from an intense, unrelenting toothache, you need to seek emergency dental care immediately.

Here are some instances when toothache can be an emergency situation:

1. TOOTH DECAY:

   Not all tooth decays can cause intense toothache. Sometimes, when a decay approaches the nerve of the tooth-it can cause severe, pulsating type of pain which increases in the night time. This condition is called as Acute Pulpitis and needs an emergency visit to your Dentist’s office.

   
   

2. BROKEN TOOTH:

   Sports injury or trauma from falling off is usually easy to spot and is accompanied by bleeding and intense pain. If you can’t see any breaks in your teeth, but you feel an intense sharp pain-focused in one area when you bite into your food, you might have a crack in your tooth. This type of fracture might require immediate attention. 

   
   

3. INFECTED TOOTH WITH DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING AND SWALLOWING:

   When tooth pain is paired with troubled breathing or swallowing, it could mean an infection or abscess is affecting your airway. In such a case, you need to understand that the situation is critical and that immediate action from a specialized dental practitioner is necessary.

4. PAIN THAT LASTS MORE THAN TWO DAYS:

   Persistent tooth pain that does not go away or worsens after two days is a red flag. This could indicate a serious underlying problem, like an infection or decay, that cannot be ignored.

5. TOOTH PAIN WITH FEVER OR HEADACHE:

   A fever combined with a toothache suggests your body is fighting an infection. This is not something to manage at home.

   
   

6. SWELLING IN THE JAWAND GUMS:

   Swelling in the jaw or gums near a painful tooth, often signals an infection. Left untreated, infections can spread and create life-threatening complications.

   
   

7. PERSISTENT BLEEDING:

   Bleeding from the gums or mouth that does not stop after an injury or procedure should not be overlooked. It may lead to more complications if left untreated.

   
   

8. PUS OR FOUL TASTE IN MOUTH:

   Pus-filled pockets or a bad taste in your mouth are often signs of an oral abscess. This serious infection requires urgent dental care to prevent it from spreading to other areas.

What To Do When You’re Experiencing Toothache

1. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

2. Use cold compress for swelling (outside mouth).

3. Avoid extreme temperatures or hard food.

4. Use pain reliever immediately (if you had previous dental experience and pain reliever is advised by the dentist only).

5. Visit your Dentist’s office immediately

The longer you wait to seek medical treatment for your toothache, the greater you risk serious complications like tooth loss, serious infection, or worse-can have a debilitating effect on your whole body. When it comes to your teeth, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

At Zen Dental, no matter the intensity of your toothache-it’s always taken care at an earlier stage. Even a preventative treatment like regular Fluoride application can have an overall good outcome on the longevity of your teeth and oral health.