Have Facial Pain? 4 Dental Emergencies to Blame

Has your face been hurting? If the pain goes on for long enough, it can affect your quality of life. So, you should visit the right professional to handle it. That said, whether you should see your dentist or physician depends on the cause. It can be tough to figure out, but there are several dental emergencies that can be behind your facial discomfort. Here are four tooth-related culprits to know.

Bruxism

If your pain is worse in the morning and your jaw hurts too, then it might be because of bruxism. This subconscious habit is when you grind and clench your teeth while you sleep. The muscles in your face can strain and become sore, but your grin can also wear down faster because of the excess pressure. A nightguard from your dentist can be helpful in protecting your smile.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last set to come in, as they typically erupt in the late teens to early twenties. For some people, they don’t cause any trouble, but for others, they can become impacted. This means they didn’t push past the gumline and are pressed against the structures nearby. You might have swelling and persistent pain, but your dentist can point you in the right direction to find relief.

Dental Abscess

An infected tooth is an emergency itself, but it becomes even more severe if a dental abscess forms. This pimple-like bump on your gums is typically very painful with fever and swelling. You should see your dentist right away, or the issue can spread to your nearby teeth and gums.

Dry Socket

Dry socket is more situational, but it’s possible if you had an extraction. This condition often develops two to five days after this procedure. The blood clot that fills the empty socket either dissolves or is dislodged early, exposing the sensitive nerve endings. You may experience intense pain that radiates out, but you can avoid it by following your dentist’s post-op instructions.

In the end, facial pain can be troubling to deal with, but it might not be a bad idea to get it checked out. By seeing your dentist, they can find out whether it’s tooth-related and offer a reliable fix. If not, then they can point you to who to see.

About the Author

Dr. Thomas Peters earned his dental degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He is dedicated to helping patients in Farmington with their dental emergencies by offering same-day urgent visits. By getting you in as soon as possible, he can get to the bottom of the issue and give you the treatment you deserve. If you think your facial pain is dental-related, schedule an appointment or call his office at 860-677-8500.