When Is a Toothache an Emergency?

A toothache becomes a dental emergency when the pain is severe, doesn’t improve, wakes you at night, or occurs with swelling, fever, or a bad taste caused by drainage. Mild, occasional sensitivity may not be urgent, but it should still be examined before it becomes worse.

Signs Your Toothache Needs Urgent Care

Contact an emergency dentist if you experience:

• Severe tooth pain or pain that continues to worsen

• Pain that wakes you up or prevents you from sleeping

• Swelling in your face, jaw, or gums

• Fever occurring alongside the tooth pain

• A bad taste or drainage near the affected tooth

• Pain when biting or chewing

What Could Be Causing the Pain?

A serious toothache may be caused by decay, infection, a damaged tooth, a loose restoration, or an impacted wisdom tooth. Depending on the cause, treatment may include a dental filling, a crown, or an evaluation of your wisdom teeth.

Don’t Ignore Signs of Infection

Without treatment, a dental infection can spread and become much more serious than the original problem. If swelling makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, seek immediate medical attention.

You can also learn what qualifies as a dental emergency, what to do if you have a broken tooth, and how to avoid common dental emergencies.

Schedule an Emergency Appointment

If your toothache matches any of the warning signs above, don’t wait for it to go away. Contact our emergency dental team or schedule an appointment. You can also call us at (615) 383-7801 for assistance.