If you are suffering from toothache, it almost always feels like an emergency situation. Tooth pain can be very serious, and if it happens outside of normal business hours for your dentist, it can feel impossible to wait for help. But there is a difference between a ‘normal’ toothache and one that is a legitimate emergency. Below are some examples to help you determine what constitutes a toothache emergency.
When the pain is the result of an injury
Tooth pain can come from more than one source. The most common type of tooth pain is the result of decay or cavities. You can also get a toothache after you experience an injury to your tooth. If you get an injury to your mouth or jaw and then start experiencing toothache, call your dentist. This type of toothache could be an indication of root damage and lead to tooth death. You could end up with a tooth that turns gray or even becomes loose and falls out. There are certain situations where your dentist can help prevent some of these consequences if you get in quickly.
If the pain is unbearable and unresponsive to pain relief methods
Toothaches are painful, but sometimes the pain is tolerable. If you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and continue on with your day, then your toothache is not at the emergency level. You can call the dentist and get in during normal business hours. But, there are some toothaches that are so intense that over-the-counter painkillers do not touch the pain. If you have pain that will not subside despite your best efforts, then you should consider it an emergency. Get a call into your dentist’s after-hours phone and get help as quickly as possible.
When you are unable to function normally because of the tooth pain
If your toothache is keeping you from being able to function normally in your life, then it constitutes an emergency. Missing work because of a toothache or skipping meals because of the pain both indicate that it is more than just passing pain. The level of pain that keeps you from engaging in your normal activities is not likely to go away if you just wait it out a little longer.
If the toothache is in a tooth that has already been treated
There are times when old fillings come out or previous dental work fails. In these situations, you can end up with an already weak tooth that is suddenly exposed to the elements that the dental work was protecting against. Cold food or drinks hitting a tooth in a spot where a filling fell out can be extremely painful. In addition, the structure of the tooth can be compromised if the old dental work failed. This can lead to a weakened tooth that is much more susceptible to being cracked or chipped. Ultimately, a toothache that occurs in a tooth that has already been treated can quickly lead to more serious problems. This is an emergency situation, and you should make a call to your dentist if it happens.
If your toothache is at the emergency level, then get a call in to your dentist. It is situations like this where it is very helpful to be established as a patient with a local dentist. If you already see a dentist regularly, it will make the process of getting your toothache treated go much smoother and more quickly.
