If you have a toothache that won't go away, it could be a sign that something more serious is going on. Minor irritation can cause some pain, but if you have tooth pain that doesn't go away, it could be a sign of an infection, gum disease, problems with your wisdom teeth, or problems with work that was done on your teeth in the past. In some cases, the pain is caused by trauma, swelling, or bleeding, which may need to be treated right away by an emergency dentist.
Never ignore toothaches that get worse when you chew, becomes sharp or throbbing, or spreads to your jaw or ear. Not every case needs immediate emergency care, but if you're still in pain, it's a sign that the dentist needs to find out what's causing it.
When You Can Safely Wait for a Regular Appointment
Not every tooth ache needs to be treated right away. You can deal with some types of pain until your next scheduled visit to the dentist. You might not need to see an emergency dentist if you have mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods, sometimes feel pain after biting into something hard, or are irritated by new dental crowns.
If the pain is bearable, doesn't get worse, and there is no swelling, fever, or visible damage, it's usually okay to wait for a regular appointment. After dental work, a lot of people feel uncomfortable for a short time, but this usually goes away on its own.
Small problems like a tiny chip in a tooth, a little pain from dental work, or mild soreness from wisdom teeth coming in can usually wait. But if the pain gets worse or starts to get in the way of your daily life, you might want to think about it again and call an emergency dentist.
How to Assess the Severity of Your Tooth Pain
To find out if you need an emergency dentist, you need to pay attention to how your symptoms are changing and getting worse. Pain that wakes you up at night, throbs all the time, or gets worse quickly is worse than pain that comes and goes. If the pain moves to the jaw, neck, or ear, it could mean that there is an infection or that nerves are involved.
Signs that are easy to see, like broken teeth, loose dental crowns, or sudden swelling, should not be ignored. These signs often mean that there are problems that need immediate help from emergency services. If you have a bad taste in your mouth, pus, or signs of an abscess, you need to call an emergency dentist right away.
If the pain is mild and predictable, like feeling sensitive after drinking cold drinks, on the other hand, you might be able to wait for a regular appointment. Keeping an eye on the symptoms for a day or two can help you figure out if things are getting better or worse.
If you need an emergency dentist, putting off treatment can have serious effects. Infections can spread, which can make the swelling worse, cause a fever, and even make you sick all over your body. Damage to the teeth can get worse, which makes future dental work more difficult and expensive.
Not paying attention to signs of a dental emergency could also lead to losing a tooth permanently, especially if the problem is with the roots or supporting bone. An emergency dentist can help prevent these problems and keep your teeth healthy for a long time.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Oral Health
Never ignore severe and long-lasting pain. Not every dental problem needs an emergency dentist, but knowing the signs of a real dental emergency can help you heal faster and feel better. If you're not sure what to do, it's better to get professional help than to wait and hope the pain goes away on its own.
Knowing the difference between urgent and non-urgent situations gives you the power to make smart choices about your dental care. Taking care of your teeth early on helps keep them healthy for a long time, whether you need immediate care or can wait for a regular appointment.
