Does My Severe Toothache Call for an Emergency Dental Visit?

Toothaches aren’t uncommon, and they demand your attention, making it impossible to focus on anything else. Many over-the-counter toothache remedies are available — but what if your toothache persists or worsens? How long should you wait before calling an emergency dentist?

Pain is the body’s way of signaling something is wrong. Never ignore persistent or worsening pain.

A Caring Dental Group in Cleveland, Ohio, offers emergency dental care for your family when troublesome oral health problems arise. Dr. Benedict Kim can quickly examine your teeth and recommend treatment to alleviate pain and discomfort. 

Why do you have a toothache?

Tooth pain is like all other types of pain — it’s meant to get your attention. Delaying treatment allows a small dental issue to grow into a larger one. Here are some of the most common reasons you may have dental pain. 

Decay

A tooth infection or abscess causes pain. Infection reaches the nerve of your tooth over time, and this causes pain. It takes time for an infection to grow, so this problem has existed for a while. After some time, it can even erode your bone structure. 

Infections can also invade your bloodstream and cause serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and high blood pressure.

Decay means there’s an opening for the infection to reach your tooth nerves and roots. This opening is likely a cracked tooth, loose filling, cavity, or abscess.

Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is another leading reason for tooth pain. It can be triggered when enjoying hot or cold foods or beverages. Just a bite or sip and you could experience a flash of sudden, sharp pain. A few dental problems can cause tooth sensitivity. 

Dr. Kim can perform a detailed oral examination to determine the cause of your tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, there are several remedies he can recommend to reduce this problem and help you enjoy eating and drinking without pain. 

Preventing tooth pain

Prevention is always preferred over treatment, and preventing tooth pain starts with an effective home dental care routine.

Dr. Kim and the team are always pleased to help our patients brush and floss correctly. Proper methods, duration, and oral care products are all essential to maintaining a healthy, beautiful, and pain-free smile. 

Dr. Kim also recommends his patients see him twice yearly for professional dental exams and cleanings. This schedule prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar and allows him to catch small oral issues early to prevent big problems. That’s the best way to avoid dental pain. 

How do you know when a toothache is a true dental emergency? If your toothache persists for more than 1-2 days (or grows worse), even with over-the-counter remedies, see our emergency dentist at A Caring Dental Group.

Contact us right away for immediate instructions and to schedule a quick appointment. You can also book online for greater convenience.