Are you wondering “Is a toothache a dental emergency?” Dental pain is very common because many things can cause it. Thankfully, most cases of dental discomfort are the result of small issues that can be taken care of easily. Sometimes, you may even be able to treat your toothache at home! However, sometimes a toothache is a warning sign of a much larger issue that needs urgent dental care. Here’s how to tell if your toothache can wait to be treated until your next dental appointment or if you should see your Conway emergency dentist right away.
Non-Urgent Types of Tooth Pain
Any dental pain should be looked at by your dentist in a timely manner to make sure it doesn’t get worse. However, these types of toothaches can wait to be seen until the next available appointment:
- Flashes of tooth sensitivity: A brief moment of sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures could mean that the inner layers of your teeth are exposed somehow, most likely through a cavity, broken filling, or small crack. This needs to be treated before your tooth becomes infected.
- Constant, dull ache: Non-specific pain throughout your mouth can also be caused by several different issues, such as teeth grinding or an infection in the gums. Your dentist will be able to help determine the cause of your tooth pain and the best treatment for it.
- Discomfort or pain in the back of your mouth: If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed, be on the lookout for pain in the back of your mouth. This uncommon type of toothache could mean that a wisdom tooth is impacted or coming in incorrectly and needs to be extracted.
Signs That Your Toothache Is a Dental Emergency
On the other hand, if you experience any of the following symptoms alongside your toothache, you should call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment:
- Intense, long-lasting pain: If your toothache is severe, wakes you up at night, or has lasted for more than a day, it may be infected and in need of immediate treatment.
- Darkening of the tooth: If one or two painful teeth become darker or discolored, there may be an injury on the inside of the tooth by the nerve.
- Loose teeth: Loose teeth are in danger of falling out, so see your dentist right away to help it stay in place.
- Numb teeth: If a painful tooth suddenly goes numb, the nerve may be infected or damaged.
- Sharp pain when biting down: This type of toothache could indicate an infection around the roots of your tooth or teeth, which could cause them to fall out without the proper treatment.
- Small bump on the gums: A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near a painful tooth is a common warning sign of a dental abscess, which needs urgent dental care.
While most toothaches are the result of cavities, it’s important to know what warning signs warrant an emergency dental visit. If you’re ever unsure if your toothache counts as a dental emergency, call your dentist! They’ll help assess your situation over the phone to determine if you need urgent dental care.
About the Practice
At American Dental Care, Dr. Tommy Murph and his team do their best to prevent dental emergencies and toothaches in Conway. However, they are well-equipped to help get you out of pain and restore your oral health at a moment’s notice nonetheless! With same-day emergency appointments and Saturday hours, they go above and beyond to provide compassionate care when you need it most. To learn more about dental emergencies and toothaches, they can be reached via their website or at (843) 488-4357.