Is Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?

Roughly one-quarter of Americans suffer from tooth pain every year, sometimes from cavities or infections and sometimes from traumatic damage or other injuries. Regardless of the cause of tooth pain, if you’re experiencing it, you want a solution — and fast.

But just because you want quick relief, does that mean the pain you’re experiencing merits an emergency office visit? In many cases, the answer is yes.

In New York City, patients with tooth pain turn to the team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC to find relief for tooth pain, offering custom solutions aimed at preventing further complications. Here, learn what tooth pain symptoms mean and when  it’s time to seek urgent care treatment with our team.

Trauma-related pain

If you have any tooth pain following a car accident, fall, sports accident, or any type of traumatic event, you should seek treatment right away. Tooth pain could be a sign of a tooth fracture or broken or dislocated jaw, and delaying oral care could result in more serious complications. You should also seek urgent care if an accident results in a cut or laceration to your lips, tongue, or other soft tissues.

Pain with bleeding or swelling

Pain that occurs alongside bleeding or swelling is another sign that it’s time to seek urgent care. Bleeding and swelling can be a sign of a deep tooth infection or abscess affecting your tooth, jaw, or soft tissues. It could also mean your tooth is cracked or fractured, all issues that require prompt medical treatment to prevent complications.

Worsening pain

If your tooth pain is getting worse, it could be a sign of a developing infection, a worsening fracture, or another problem that’s becoming more serious over time. Urgent care is vitally important for relieving symptoms and preventing problems that can be a lot more difficult to treat.

Severe pain

Relatively minor tooth pain definitely needs to be evaluated promptly, but it doesn’t necessarily need urgent care. However, if your pain is severe or if you’re having throbbing pain or shooting pain, those are indications that it’s time to visit us right away. You should also seek care if your tooth pain is making it difficult to sleep, eat, or perform other activities, or if your pain is worse with hot or cold foods.

Pain caused by biting or chewing

Sometimes, tooth pain is worse when you bite, chew, or apply any type of pressure to your tooth. Sure, you could chew on the other side of your mouth, but doing so only allows the underlying problem to grow worse. Pain that’s worse with pressure could be related to infection, fractures, or deep decay, all issues that require an urgent care visit to prevent tooth loss or other complications.

Pain with fever

Fever is your body’s response to an infection. By raising your temperature, your body makes itself inhospitable to most germs, helping to stop infections from spreading. 

If you have tooth pain accompanied by a fever, that’s a really good sign that you have an infection that’s already begun to spread. Urgent care is essential for preventing serious and even life-threatening complications.

Tooth pain should never be ignored

No matter what’s causing your tooth pain, one thing’s certain: Any type of pain is a sign that something’s not right. Even if you don’t think you need an urgent care visit, it’s still important to call the office and schedule an evaluation to prevent your problem from getting worse.

To find relief for your tooth pain, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.

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