In this article, we discuss a common question: Can a severe toothache be a dental emergency? We also describe other symptoms that indicate you require emergency dental care.
Can a Severe Toothache Be a Dental Emergency?
A severe toothache can be a dental emergency, as it may indicate an acute infection. These are the signs that your toothache requires immediate medical attention:
- Severe, throbbing pain (often described as unbearable or the severest pain ever experienced)
- Toothache that does not respond to over-the-counter painkillers
- Toothache that is accompanied by fever or chills
- Swelling in the gums, jaw, or face on the side of the aching tooth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Breathing or swallowing difficulty (in some critical cases, infection and swelling can affect the airways)
- Discharge from the gum around the infected tooth (periodontal pockets) or cysts on the gum tissue
- Severe headache
- Cold sweats and fatigue
Cases of acute tooth infection require immediate attention, as the infection can spread to the jaw, sinuses, and neck, or lead to an abscess and pose a danger to the entire body. Additionally, treating the tooth immediately gives you a chance to save it from extraction.
Types of Toothache that Are Urgent but Not an Emergency
The following symptoms might indicate that you need to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible (within 1 to 3 days), but are likely not a cause for emergency dental care:
- Pain when you consume hot or cold foods and beverages
- Pain when biting down on the tooth, chewing, touching, or brushing your teeth
- Sudden sharp pain that goes away
- Mild persistent toothache that occurs periodically
- Redness or mild swelling in the gum tissue around the tooth in question
- Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
Remember that any toothache or gum swelling requires prompt treatment, as it can lead to the further spread of infection and tooth loss.
First Aid for Severe Toothache
As we mentioned before, if you experience a severe toothache, the first step is to call an emergency dentist and arrange an appointment. To relieve pain while you are waiting to see your doctor, you can try the following steps:
- Apply a cold compress (or an icepack wrapped in a clean cloth or a hand towel) to the outer side of your cheek. Hold the compress for 15 minutes and then take a 20 to 30 minute break before the next application. Cold compresses can temporarily reduce swelling and provide some pain relief.
- Rinse your mouth with a lukewarm saltwater solution. Saltwater helps kill bacteria and can also provide mild pain relief.
- Take an over-the-counter painkiller, such as Ibuprofen. However, no matter how severe the pain is, do not exceed the recommended dose, as it can be dangerous to your organs.
- Do not apply any topical painkillers, like benzocaine gels, to the affected area in the mouth, as they can cause burns of the gum tissue.
Emergency Treatments for Severe Toothache
Once you are in a dental office, you can expect your dentist to conduct an examination and an X-ray to determine the extent of the infection. Then, the following treatments might be employed:
- Root canal therapy
- Drainage of an abscess, if present
- Tooth extraction when saving the tooth is not possible
- Antibiotics can be prescribed in addition to in-office procedures to manage the infection and prevent reinfection of the procedure site
Receive Emergency Treatment at Dental Care of Pomona
If you are experiencing a severe toothache or notice signs of tooth infection, do not hesitate to call our office and make an appointment with an emergency dentist or a general dentist. Specialists at Dental Care of Pomona are dedicated to preserving your oral health.
