Whether you’re out on the town with friends or catching up with loved ones over a home-cooked meal, tooth pain always seems to strike when you’re at the most inconvenient moments. There is a range of different things that can cause a toothache, some of which require immediate care and some that don’t. So that you know when your tooth requires prompt treatment, read on to learn about three types of toothaches that are urgent and five that aren’t.
3 Types of Non-Urgent Tooth Pain
There are a few kinds of dental pain that you can wait until your next appointment to discuss with your dentist, including:
- Flashes of sensitivity –If this occurs when you consume hot or cold foods or drinks, this may mean that a cavity, a broken filling, or a small crack has left the inner layers of your tooth exposed.
- A constant, dull ache – Teeth grinding, which is also called bruxism, or gum infections are common culprits of this type of toothache.
- Discomfort or pain in the back of your mouth – This may be caused by wisdom teeth that are impacted or aren’t coming in correctly.
5 Types of Tooth Pain That Are a Dental Emergency
Though the above forms of tooth pain don’t warrant an emergency dental visit, the same can’t be said for all toothaches. You should visit your dentist as soon as possible if you’re experiencing:
- Intense, long-lasting pain –Tooth pain that lasts more than a day or makes it hard for you to sleep may mean that it’s infected and requires prompt treatment.
- Darkening of the tooth –If a tooth that hurts starts to turn dark or discolored, the nerves may be damaged.
- Numb teeth –A toothache that suddenly goes numb may be a sign that the nerve may be damaged or infected.
- Sharp pain when biting down – Sharp, intense pain that occurs when you bite down may be a sign that there’s an infection near the roots of the tooth. Prompt treatment is necessary to keep it from falling out.
- A dental abscess – This is a small bump on the gums that looks like a pimple and can appear near a painful tooth. It’s filled with pus and is caused by a bacterial infection.
As you can see, not all toothaches mean you have to make an emergency visit to your dentist’s office. Regardless, it’s wise to have tooth pain treated as soon as possible to avoid further complications and make sure your smile remains healthy, happy, and as lovely as ever!
About the Practice
If you’re a patient in need of a highly skilled, compassionate team of dental health specialists in the San Antonio area, Laith Family Dentistry is just what you need. They offer a range of exceptional oral health services, including emergency dental treatments to save your oral health and get your smile back on track. For more information on their services or to make an appointment with Laith Family Dentistry, call their North West San Antonio office at (210) 782-6842, their Central San Antonio office at (210) 782-0008, or visit their website.
