Over the course of your life, you’ll inevitably face a few toothaches. These minor twinges aren’t often urgent, but they do point to real (and sometimes lasting) oral issues. It’s thus natural that they prompt a major question: Is your tooth pain a dental emergency? All that said, you don’t need to wonder aimlessly; your Albuquerque dentist can address this query. Just keep reading to learn why toothaches are sometimes emergencies, the risks of leaving them alone, and how emergency dentists treat them.
Consider Your Pain’s Cause
Whether tooth pain is an emergency depends on its source. Therefore, you should consider your ache’s cause before doing anything else.
If the pain stems from a minor issue, it likely isn’t urgent. A good example would be a tooth that feels slightly sore from some recent dental work. This pearly white’s ache should fade within a day or two, and it won’t develop more complications later. That means you can have it assessed (if necessary) at your next dental checkup.
In contrast, pain from a severe problem warrants fast care. You should see a dentist immediately if your ache comes from one (or more) of the following:
- Chipped or Broken Teeth
- A Severe Tooth Infection
- Advanced Tooth Decay
- A Facial Injury or Accident
Take Your Pain Seriously
For safety’s sake, you should quickly see your dentist for any intense tooth pain. Letting your ache go unchecked is very risky.
A pained tooth can easily face more trouble over time. In particular, its pulp – the innermost bundle of tissue and nerves – might develop a bacterial infection. The latter would eventually cause tooth loss if it isn’t treated, as well as other oral complications. Its harmful bacteria could even spread to other body parts and cause major health conditions, including life-threatening sepsis!
Needless to say, you must always take tooth pain seriously. Visit your emergency dentist at once when you suffer from it.
How Emergency Dentists Treat Tooth Pain
You can always trust an emergency dentist to help with tooth pain. Through a proper oral exam, they can identify the source of your ache and provide the relief you need.
A dentist’s treatment for tooth pain can vary a bit. When the relevant cause is a minor issue, they may suggest toothpaste for sensitive teeth and similar care items. Pain from a major problem, meanwhile, can require procedures like:
- Root Canal Therapy
- Tooth Extraction
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Fillings
- TMD Therapy
Your tooth pain may be a dental emergency, so don’t brush it off. Book a visit to your dental provider and have it addressed soon!
About the Practice
Valer Dental & Braces is based out of two convenient locations in Albuquerque, NM. Led by Drs. Lightheart, Lo, and Belle, our practice aims to meet your every oral need. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental options, as well as orthodontic services like braces and Invisalign. Our team is also ready and able to treat dental emergencies on short notice. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (505)-257-2000.