Is a Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?

It’s no secret that a toothache can cause significant discomfort. Still, people rarely think of toothaches as a dental emergency. But you should never take pain lightly, especially if it involves a tooth. After all, pain is your body trying to tell you something’s wrong.

A Caring Dental Group of Cleveland, Ohio, can take the guesswork out of your dental emergency. If you have a painful toothache, we can answer your questions and share expert guidance on what to do.

Do you have a toothache? Here’s what you should know about this problem and how to know when it’s time to reach out to Dr. Benedict Kim and his skilled team.

Why you shouldn’t ignore a toothache

Healthy teeth shouldn’t hurt, so consider dental pain a warning signal that something’s not right with your oral health. And it doesn’t have to be severe pain, either; even dental sensitivity warrants a conversation with your dentist.

When you have a toothache, it could be due to advancing dental decay or indicate an abscess or tooth infection. This potential problem is even more likely if the pain is beside or underneath your tooth root — areas where tooth nerves are easily stimulated.

Infections are also serious health issues. If a tooth infection or decay is severe enough to cause a toothache, it can also erode the structure of your jawbone. 

And infections in your mouth don’t stay there. They make their way into your bloodstream, putting you at risk of whole-body health complications, from heart disease and respiratory issues to high blood pressure and diabetes.

Fortunately, you can prevent dental issues like tooth decay by practicing good oral hygiene and care. However, if you do start to experience frequent or persistent tooth pain, contact Dr. Kim and his team to find the best treatment options for your symptoms and the underlying problem.

Finding relief for tooth pain

Sometimes, you can relieve pain and irritation in your mouth with home remedies or over-the-counter options. If your toothache pain persists or seems severe, it means you may need professional dental care to treat the underlying cause.

But how long should you wait to contact an emergency dental care provider? It’s crucial to seek emergency dental care if your pain persists for over a day or two despite home remedies or OTC medication.

Generally speaking, the sooner you contact A Caring Dental Group, the better. When our team can identify problems at the earliest stages, your treatment is often less extensive — and less expensive. Plus, you can say goodbye to your tooth pain faster.

Dr. Kim and his team are here to help with dental emergencies, and we work with you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. We may also give you instructions for self-care strategies you can use right away to ease your discomfort.

Treating a toothache depends on the cause. Whether you have a cracked tooth, loose filling, runaway cavity, or other form of decay, Dr. Kim and his team offer restorative dental procedures to solve the problem. And you can rest easy knowing that treatment can eliminate your symptoms and protect your oral and whole-body health from dental infections at the same time.

Do you have a toothache that’s been bothering you for a few days? Contact A Caring Dental Group online or over the phone for emergency dentistry support in Cleveland, Ohio, today.