Dental emergencies may seem more normal than expected

When we hear the term “dental emergency,” we may immediately think of some sort of traumatic injury. Perhaps a tooth got knocked out or broken, or soft tissue has been injured in some way. A number of situations may be considered a dental emergency. One of the most frequently seen dental emergencies, however, is a normal, run of the mill toothache.

We may all experience tooth pain at some point in our lives. At Eastland Dental Center, we strive to help our patients avoid conditions that could lead to a toothache, but there are instances when one may occur. Dental pain may be experienced in various ways, such as:

• Sharp or intense pain that occurs when eating sugary treats, or with warm or cold temperatures of food or beverages.
• A dull ache.
• Throbbing pain.

These various types of pain associated with a toothache may develop at the site of the problem, called localized pain. Toothaches can also cause generalized pain in the mouth or jaw. Lastly, pain comes from nerves, and may thus shoot to areas away from the actual problem. You may have a damaged tooth in the back left side of your mouth, but pain is occurring in the cheek or even ear.

Although you may not initially consider a toothache to be a dental emergency, it actually can be just that. Pain occurs because a tooth has been damaged. There may be an infection present, which requires professional treatment sooner rather than later. Many people treat tooth pain with over the counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication. This may dull or relieve a toothache, but relieving the pain does not mean that there is no problem lurking. We encourage our patients to contact us right away when a toothache strikes, so that we can treat the problem that is causing pain, and improve oral health at the same time.

Ideally, the emergency of a toothache would be avoided altogether. Of course, it may not be possible to prevent situations that lead to pain, such as a fractured tooth from an old amalgam filling. Because many toothaches are the result of poor oral health, however, following the guidelines of the American Dental Association is beneficial. Brushing twice a day, for two minutes, using appropriate techniques shown by our dental hygienist, cleans away bacteria and prevents the formation of plaque. Flossing is a vital oral hygiene task, as well, and it should be done on a daily basis. To inhibit the collection of bacteria further, an antiseptic oral rinse can be used, especially before bed.

The team at Eastland Dental understands that situations may arise in which you require prompt attention. Contact us for compassionate care of your dental emergency.