
Tooth pain is something most people deal with from time to time. But, many people wonder how serious a toothache actually is and if it warrants emergency dental care.
While toothaches are never fun to deal with, some cases are more serious than others. How do you know when to see a dentist and when the pain will go away on its own?
In this guide from Broadway Dental of Pearland, we review common causes of toothaches and discuss what to do if you’re living with tooth pain. Read on to learn more or contact our office today for assistance.
What Causes Toothaches?
Toothaches are pain in or around your tooth. A toothache can be caused by many things. In some cases, the pain is minor and treatable at home. In other cases, a toothache is severe and requires dental treatment.
Some of the most common causes of toothaches include:
- Cavity
- Tooth abscess
- Cracked tooth
- Damaged crown or filling
- Teeth grinding
- Something stuck in a tooth
- Gum disease
Toothaches may feel different depending on the severity of the pain or cause of the problem, but the most common symptoms include:
- A dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain
- Gum swelling
- Headaches
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath or taste
- Fever
- Chills
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you can give our office a call. Even if you don’t require immediate dental care, we can schedule an appointment for you or give advice on home remedies for a minor toothache.
When to See the Dentist
While you can always contact us for advice, it’s also useful to know general guidelines on when a toothache requires urgent dental care. If you’re dealing with one or more of the following, don’t wait to call us.
- It hurts to open your mouth: If the tooth pain is making it difficult to do normal functions like opening your mouth, it could be because of an infection or other serious issues.
- Your jaw is swelling: Swelling in the face or jaw is also a possible sign of infection. So, you don’t want to wait to get the cause checked out.
- The pain is severe: Severe tooth pain makes it difficult to live your life. If the pain is bad enough that you can’t do your daily tasks, dental treatments provide relief.
- The toothache lasts longer than two days: Even if it is a dull pain, consistent pain is something that should be addressed quickly, as it indicates a long-lasting issue.
On the other hand, you should go to an emergency room for tooth pain if you have a fever over 101 degrees or have bleeding that won’t stop even when applying pressure.
Call Broadway Dental of Pearland for Emergency Dentistry
At Broadway Dental of Pearland, Dr. Allouch and the compassionate dental staff want you to have a pain-free smile. So, if you’re experiencing a toothache or any other mouth pain, we want to help alleviate our symptoms and treat the cause of the problem.
We offer same-day dental appointments in our comfortable, high-tech office. So, if you have a toothache that won’t go away or any other urgent dental problem, we can assist you with efficient care in a welcoming environment.
Have a dental emergency? Call us right away!