Why You Should See an Emergency Dentist If You Have Oral Pain

An emergency dentist provides dental care on short notice. Many emergency dentists take walk-ins, while some practices have a dentist on call to respond to emergencies.

You should have the contacts of an emergency dentist on hand, just in case the unexpected happens. An emergency dentist's phone number and physical location enable you to receive urgent care when you or a loved one needs it the most.

Identifying an emergency dentist near you is a worthwhile exercise, and so is learning when you should seek urgent care from a dentist. A good indicator that you or someone you know needs help is oral pain.

An emergency dentist goes over different types of oral pain

Pain and discomfort are the body’s notification system. Physical pain is usually an indicator that a person should seek medical or dental help. As a rule of thumb, the more severe the pain is, the more urgent the underlying issue probably is. The solution for the pain could range from medical intervention to pain medication and home remedies. However, only a doctor or dentist can determine the correct course of action. Here are a few common types of oral pain:

• Tooth sensitivity from exposure to heat, cold, pressure, sugar, or acid
• Soreness in the teeth, jaws, and facial muscles
• Dull, throbbing pain with the sensation of pressure
• Acute and constant pain
• Sharp pain that only surfaces when a person applies pressure
• Sharp, persistent pain that comes with throbbing, pressure, and sometimes, itching

Different types of oral pain point to different root causes. Some of these root causes qualify as dental emergencies. It bears mentioning that less severe tooth pain still requires timely treatment. Putting up with mild or moderate pain can result in severe oral pain down the line. Here is why and when a patient needs to see an emergency dentist for oral pain.

1. Oral pain can be a sign of infection

Sharp pain that comes with throbbing, pressure, and itching is a tell-tale sign of infection. In severe cases, a fever will accompany the pain, which could point to a systemic infection.

Not only is infection painful, but it can also be dangerous. A tooth that robs the person of sleep and peace of mind qualifies as a dental emergency. Having the information of an emergency dentist can enable the patient to get treatment and relief on the same day.

2. Pain can result from injury

The inner tooth contains living tissue that is served by nerves and blood vessels. Tooth pain is the nerves of the inner tooth sending pain signals to the brain. These nerves will send pain signals in case of infection, exposure, or injury.

A break or a fracture may cause swelling or exposure of the inner tooth. Urgent dental care prevents the injury from morphing into an infection or the death of the tooth. Seeing an emergency dentist after an injury also can also help the patient deal with the pain.

3. Oral pain interferes with the patient’s daily life

Someone who deals with teeth grinding or an impacted wisdom tooth may try to power through their pain. But the dull ache and pressure of a problem tooth often come with swelling that makes speaking and eating difficult. Teeth grinding creates a similar set of problems.

Seeing an emergency dentist for this type of issue can improve the person’s quality of life. Emergency dentists who take walk-ins can be lifesavers for people who suffer anxiety in the days leading up to a dental appointment.

Get urgent dental care as soon as you need it

Our practice offers emergency dentistry during office hours and evenings. We also have an emergency dentist who remains on call to respond to patients who need help after hours. Get in touch with us to find out what to do in case you experience a dental emergency.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gatewaydental4u.com or call Gateway Dental at (703) 466-0568 for an appointment in our Ashburn office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Ashburn, VA.