Tooth Ache/ Dental emergency in Tacoma, WA

What is a dental emergency? A dental emergency is server pain, bleeding, or swelling in the gums or the face. If you are having severe pain with sensitivity to hot temperatures like hot coffee, cold temperatures like ice water, and pressure like chewing on a particular side of your mouth, the chances of tooth infections are high. If you are a patient of record, don’t wait. Call us right away or go to the nearest urgent care. 

There are several reasons toothaches happen. Sometimes a toothache will come and go or linger for a few minutes before it goes away. If you are experiencing tooth pain that comes and goes, try taking an over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol or Ibuprofen to get comfort. Then call us and set up an appointment to check things out. At My Tacoma Dentist- David Wagner, we are happy to take a look and give you our expert opinion.  

How To Tell If You Have A Dental Emergency That Requires Immediate Treatment?

Any kind of mouth injury is considered an emergency that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. However, not every oral pain requires emergency care. Here are the most common kinds of dental emergencies that require prompt attention:

• Broken or fractured teeth
• Severe toothaches that won’t go away without medication
• A knocked-out tooth
• An object lodged between two teeth
• Uncontrollable bleeding in the mouth and gums
• Objects caught between teeth
• Jaw injuries that might be broken facial bones
• Serious injury to the jaw joint  
• Facial lacerations on the lips or cheek that may be infected
• Bleeding into the sinuses from the nose
• Swelling in the face or neck area that may be indicative of an infection

Non-urgent dental emergencies include:

• Lost filling, crown, or bridge
• Dull toothache
• Food lodged between teeth
• A small chip or crack in the tooth

Toothache/ Dental Emergency

A toothache is a pain around the tooth that many things, such as a cavity or abscess, may cause. The pain may be sharp and intense and may cause you to wake up in the night feeling uncomfortable. You may also find that the pain affects your appetite and ability to function throughout the day. It's essential to see our dentist as soon as possible for evaluation. At My Tacoma Dentist - David Wagner DDS, we can diagnose the cause and severity of the discomfort and recommend an appropriate treatment. If you delay treatment, the problem may worsen and require more extensive care.

The Causes Of Toothaches

There are several reasons you might have a toothache, but most of the time, it is because of tooth decay. When bacteria are allowed to build up on your teeth, plaque can affect your oral health. If left untreated, it can lead to infection and a tooth abscess. Other reasons for tooth pain can include cracked or chipped teeth, infected gums, or oral cancer. If you are experiencing tooth pain, you should schedule an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. 

When Is A Toothache An Emergency?

If your pain is severe and won’t go away with pain medication, you should call our dental office as soon as possible! The earlier you come in for treatment, the more likely we will be able to save your tooth from extraction.

Severe pain usually indicates that you have a cavity that needs to be filled immediately or that one of your previous fillings has come out. Even a small chip in a tooth can cause you to suffer from severe pain if it isn’t treated quickly. A missing filling can also expose you to food particles that can get stuck and cause an infection.

If you wait too long to come in for care, your infection could spread to the tissue around your tooth, and you could lose more than just your original tooth. Your gums, bone, and even neighboring teeth could be at risk if you allow your infection to persist. You could also experience an abscessed tooth that requires surgery when left untreated for too long.

Emergency Dental Care Tips

If you have pain, sensitivity, or discomfort when you chew, try and identify the cause. If you can pinpoint it, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth to prevent worsening the condition. If your toothache results from an accident, like trauma to a tooth or a dislodged filling, rinse your mouth with warm water and place a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling. If swelling is severe, you may need to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and see your primary care physician as soon as possible.

If you're experiencing unbearable tooth pain or have lost a filling, visit My Tacoma Dentist - David Wagner DDS at 1919 N. Pearl St. Suite A-3, Tacoma, WA, 98406, or call (253) 761-5299 to address your pain as quickly as possible.