Often enough, facial pain seems harmless and unworthy of worry. You may even think it’ll fade, leaving you free to move on with your day. However, such facial discomfort is more serious than you’d think. Sometimes, it signals a dental emergency that needs prompt care! You’ll thus want to recognize when that’s the case. Luckily, your local practice can help you do so. Here are three dental emergencies that cause facial pain and why to see an emergency dentist for them.
Dental Emergencies That Cause Facial Pain
Some causes of facial pain qualify as dental emergencies. Among these, the most common ones are the following:
Dry Socket
Have you recently had a tooth removed? If so, the pain in your face might stem from a dry socket. The latter occurs when a blood clot doesn’t form properly at an extraction site. As that happens, nearby nerves and bone tissue get exposed to external forces.
A dry socket’s symptoms are pretty simple. They tend to include persistent pain after a tooth extraction, loss of the blood clot, and bad or foul breath. Should you show all three of these symptoms, it’s crucial to see your dentist at once.
Dental Abscess
Put simply, a dental abscess is an infection of your tooth’s soft insides — its pulp. It’ll typically occur when bacteria reach your teeth’ nerves due to decay, gum disease, or injury.
In general, the symptoms of an abscessed tooth are:
- Persistent throbbing or chewing pain
- Sensitivity in the tooth or gums
- Gum tissue that becomes red or swollen
- Bitter taste in your mouth
- A moderate fever
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
When the joint that attaches your jaw to your skull is altered, it can cause serious pain. Such issues tend to be called temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
You may have TMD if you experience:
- Pain or discomfort in or around your jaw
- Limited jaw mobility
- Clicking sounds when opening or closing your jaw
- A misaligned bite
Why to See an Emergency Dentist for Them
When facial pain comes from one of the above causes, you should quickly see your dentist. Failing to do so will complicate things.
You see, dental emergencies worsen when left untreated. For instance, a dental abscess can be life-threatening if it triggers sepsis. Meanwhile, a dry socket could lead to your jawbone eroding. TMD, too, can cause cracked teeth without prompt care.
Fortunately, an emergency dentist can treat these matters before they cause long-term harm. Therefore, go ahead and book treatment as soon as you can!
About the Practice
Zumbro Family Dental is based in Rochester, MN. Led by Dr. Nicholas Brong, the practice offers personalized dentistry tailored to each of its patients. To that end, we perform high-quality preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental care. Our team also prides itself on being a certified provider of ClearCorrect aligners and dental sedation services. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (507)-288-1066.
