Is a Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?

When you wake up and start to feel tooth pain, it’s easy to just shrug it off at first and assume it’s nothing. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that the pain will go away on its own. Many dental emergencies go untreated when they desperately need it, leading to higher dental care costs and oral complications. For these reasons and more, it’s crucial to keep these tips the next time you ask yourself “Is a toothache a dental emergency?”

Why Tooth Pain Should Be Taken Seriously

A toothache can occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are obvious and others which are more difficult to understand. For example, blunt force trauma to the face can easily leave a tooth cracked or chipped, causing the inner area (pulp) to become exposed to bacteria.

In other cases, tooth decay can slowly erode enamel without you even realizing it, breaking down the thick outer layers and leaving the pulp and nerve endings exposed. This is why dentists often note that once pain is noticed in the tooth, it means it’s already too late to prevent the dental emergency from happening.

Additionally, teeth are not capable of healing themselves, which means only a dentist can appropriately manage these symptoms and address the root cause of the problem.

The Steps You Can Take When You Notice Tooth Pain

It’s best to call the dentist when a toothache is present and schedule an emergency appointment. By calling early enough, it’s much easier to get a visit set up for the same day. Ahead of the appointment, dentists recommend to:

• Use dental floss to confirm no food debris is
  present and causing the pain
• Use cold compresses to reduce any swelling in
  the cheek
• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water several
  times a day
• Take over-the-counter painkillers to reduce discomfort

How an Emergency Dentist Can Help

Dentists can not only pinpoint the actual cause of tooth pain, but they can create a detailed treatment plan designed to provide you relief as soon as possible. Getting seen by a dentist right away can also confirm the presence of habits that were not previously known, such as teeth grinding or clenching. Alternatively, seeing a dentist can save the tooth from needing more expensive and time-consuming treatments, including dental crowns, root canal therapy, or extraction.

Never assume that tooth pain will go away on its own. It’s always better to err on the side of caution, rather than take the risk and assume it will get better. Schedule an appointment with a dentist today to prevent a dental problem from getting worse!

About the Author

Dr. Nicholas Mueller (just call him Dr. Nick!) earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota and his dental doctorate at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, Wisconsin Dental Association, and the International Association of Orthodontics. To schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry at Shorewood Family Dentistry, visit our website or call us today at 414-332-8150.