Sometimes life can throw a curveball your way – and every now and then, it might come in the form of a dental emergency! However, when you’re experiencing a dental emergency, the very last thing you want to do is panic or hesitate due to uncertainty. Not to mention, dental pain isn’t something you should have to needlessly endure! With that in mind, here’s a brief breakdown of a few of the most common dental emergencies responsible for causing facial pain, and why visiting your emergency dentist is always going to be in your best interest.
Facial Pain: The Basics
Facial pain refers to discomfort felt in the face, cheeks, or forehead, but since it refers to a specific symptom and not an actual condition, it can be traced to a myriad of different causes. A few potential ones may include things like oral health problems, underlying medical conditions, unaddressed oral infection, nerve damage, traumatic injury, and headaches and migraines. However, it’s worth highlighting three of the most common ones: broken teeth, dental abscesses, and dry sockets.
Broken Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth can result from trauma, biting down on something hard, or even untreated decay. Even the smallest crack can cause significant discomfort, as the nerve endings inside the tooth are exposed. This pain can worsen when eating or drinking, or when air hits the tooth, and can extend throughout the surrounding area of the face. Teeth that have become fractured require dental treatment; they won’t heal on their own, and the pain will only worsen with time.
Dental Abscess
However, one of the most common sources of facial pain is a dental abscess. This is an infection of the soft insides of your tooth, known as the pulp. It occurs when bacteria infiltrate your teeth’s vulnerable nerves and blood vessels, often due to unchecked decay or gum disease. This can lead to throbbing pain, tooth and gum sensitivity, swollen gums, and fever, and if left unaddressed, the infection can even spread to other teeth. This condition won’t heal on its own and it’s vital to seek professional dental treatment if you suspect you have an abscessed tooth.
Dry Socket
If you’ve recently had a tooth removed and you’re experiencing facial pain, it might be due to a condition known as dry socket. This occurs when the blood doesn’t properly clot over the extraction site, exposing the vulnerable nerves underneath. In addition to radiating or persistent pain, patients might experience some blood loss and bad breath. It’s best to contact your dentist or oral surgeon for instructions concerning your next steps.
Remember, understanding potential facial pain causes is a vital first step to receiving effective treatment. The treatment steps needed to manage your situation will depend entirely on its source; however, your emergency dentist is the best choice for getting things quickly handled!
About the Practice
Our team here at Community Dentists of Worcester has proudly served families in the Worcester, MA area for several years, offering a wide range of services including same-day emergency dentistry for all patients with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to request an appointment or additional information, please visit us online or call us for assistance. Telephone: (774) 255-7345.
