Is a Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?

Toothaches — like other aches and pains — can have a variety of causes. Some are relatively benign, such as something caught between your teeth, or increased tooth enamel sensitivity. But severe toothaches can be a dental emergency. 

So, what should you do when you or your child has a toothache? Is it considered a dental emergency that requires a trip to your nearest urgent care facility? Can your dentist handle it? Must it be taken care of today, or is tomorrow OK?

Dr. Tejas Patel offers same-day emergency dental care visits at Advanced Oral Dynamics in Allentown, Pennsylvania. If you have a dental emergency, our team adjusts Dr. Patel’s schedule so you can be seen ASAP. 

Is your toothache an emergency? Or can it wait? Read on to find out.

You have severe tooth pain 

Severe tooth pain is almost always a dental emergency. You may have suffered trauma to the tooth, such as a blow that knocked it partially or all of the way out. If your tooth gets knocked out, try to make it to the dentist within 30-60 minutes to increase the odds that we’ll be able to save it.

Even if you didn’t fall or weren’t in an accident, severe pain could be the sign of something very wrong that needs prompt dental care. Severe pain could be due to:

• Deep tooth decay
• Abscess (infection)
• Gum tissue infection
• A broken crown
• A cracked or chipped tooth
• A broken tooth

Call us immediately at 610-632-1608 so we can create a slot for Dr. Patel to see you ASAP. If you’re in severe pain, it’s helpful to have somebody else drive you to our office.

You have facial swelling or a fever

When you have a toothache accompanied by facial swelling or a fever, that’s a sign that you could have developed an abscess, or an infected pocket of bacteria-filled pus. 

You may have developed an abscess due to a dental cavity that hasn’t yet been treated. You might also have cut or injured your gums without noticing. Sometimes an abscess is caused by an injury that occurred during dental work.

An abscess near the root of your tooth endangers that tooth’s health. When you contact us for a dental emergency, Dr. Patel drains the abscess and may perform a root canal to save the tooth. You then take antibiotics to clear the infection and safeguard your oral and overall health.

You have trouble breathing or swallowing

A severe toothache accompanied by trouble breathing or swallowing is an emergency that requires a trip to your local hospital’s ER department. Call 911, or have somebody else drive you there ASAP. Trouble breathing and swallowing could be a life-threatening condition.

Your teeth hurt when you eat something cold or hot

Teeth sensitivity can sometimes be caused by something serious, such as an abscess. Usually, however, it’s a result of your enamel thinning out or your gums receding, both of which tend to happen as part of the aging process.

If you eat or drink something hot or cold and your teeth hurt for a short time, let us know so that we can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and safe. However, tooth sensitivity is only an emergency if the pain persists or is severe.

You have something stuck in your teeth

Sometimes a toothache is caused by something that got stuck between your teeth and may be irritating your gums. Check to see if anything is lodged between teeth or in your gums. Pull it out with your fingers if you can do so easily. 

If your pain doesn’t resolve after removing the object, or if you can’t easily remove it yourself, give us a call. Depending on the situation, we may advise coming in immediately for an urgent dental care visit.

Do you have tooth pain, a knocked out tooth, or facial swelling? Call us today at 610-632-1608 so we can book you for an immediate urgent care dental appointment — or schedule you later for non-emergency care, depending on the situation. You can also use our easy online form to schedule a standard dental visit with Dr. Patel at your convenience.