Dental emergencies can be both alarming and painful, especially when they lead to facial pain. Understanding the underlying causes of this discomfort is crucial for managing and seeking timely treatment. Here are three examples of issues that might cause facial pain to make your conversation with your emergency dentist a little bit smoother.
Tooth Abscess: A Hidden Danger
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, typically resulting from untreated cavities, gum disease, or a cracked tooth. The infection can spread from the tooth root to the surrounding tissues, leading to severe pain that often radiates across the face. This pain can be accompanied by swelling, fever, and a persistent bad taste in the mouth.
Facial pain from an abscessed tooth is usually intense and throbbing, often worsening when lying down. It’s essential to seek immediate dental care, as an untreated abscess can lead to more serious complications, including the spread of infection to other parts of the body. Treatment usually involves draining the abscess, performing a root canal, or in severe cases, extracting the tooth.
Fractured Teeth: A Sudden and Sharp Pain
A fractured tooth can occur due to various reasons, including trauma, biting down on hard objects, or existing dental issues like large fillings that weaken the tooth structure. When a tooth fractures, it can expose the nerve endings within, leading to sharp, localized pain that can extend to the jaw and face.
Facial pain from a fractured tooth may be triggered by temperature changes (hot or cold) or pressure when biting. The pain can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the fracture. Immediate treatment is essential to prevent further damage and alleviate pain. Depending on the severity, treatments may include dental bonding, crowns, or in extreme cases, extraction if the tooth is beyond repair.
TMJ Disorders: A Complex Cause of Facial Pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull, and disorders in this area can cause significant facial pain. TMJ disorders can arise from various factors, including arthritis, jaw injuries, or habitual clenching and grinding of teeth (bruxism). The pain associated with TMJ disorders can manifest as a dull ache or sharp pain in the jaw, ears, and face.
Facial pain caused by TMJ disorders often worsens with jaw movement, such as chewing, speaking, or yawning. In addition to pain, patients may experience clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw, and in severe cases, the jaw may lock in place. Treatment for TMJ disorders varies depending on the cause but may include physical therapy, dental splints, or in more severe cases, surgery.
About Our Practice
Welcome to The Smile Standard! We’re proud to have a reputation for offering comfortable, quality care to our patients, so we work extremely hard to live up to those expectations. We make this possible through not only our expansive clinical expertise, but by incorporating cutting-edge dental technology into our treatments. When you come to us to deal with a dental emergency, you can expect nothing but the best oral healthcare from us.
If you have any questions about dental emergencies, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (847) 882-8387.