Do You Need An Emergency Appointment For Severe Toothache?
When you have a severe toothache, it can be a significant source of discomfort, one that may interfere with your usual activities like going to work or playing sports, for example. Under such circumstances, it's important to recognize that high levels of pain will necessitate an emergency dental appointment. On the other hand, if you have a mild toothache that you can treat with over-the-counter painkillers, it would be more appropriate to book a regular appointment with your dentist. Not only is this likely to be less costly, but it could give you a chance to treat the problem yourself by upping your oral healthcare regime with more flossing and brushing.
If the toothache you're suffering from is painful enough to cause headaches, make you lose sleep, or distract you in simple tasks like driving, then it can be considered an emergency. Find out why you should call an emergency dentist in severe cases by reading on.
Save Teeth
To begin with, one of the primary reasons anyone should seek an immediate dental appointment for severe toothache is the possibility that the pain is indicating an underlying dental problem. Discomfort with teeth can indicate various conditions that should not be delayed in receiving treatment. Tooth decay often leads to an aching sensation, for instance. Leaving such decay when the pain is severe could mean the infection has reached the tooth's pulp. Ignoring the pain might mean needing more extensive treatments or even losing the tooth in question whereas an emergency dentist might be able to save it if they see it in time.
Identify Other Symptoms
A severe toothache may be accompanied by other symptoms, which could signify a dental emergency. For example, toothache may indicate problems like a dental abscess or a cracked tooth which, like decay, shouldn't be underestimated. Symptoms such as persistently swollen or tender gums, fever, or even a foul or nauseous taste in the mouth may indicate a possible oral infection that could be worse than the toothache itself. An emergency appointment will allow your dentist to quickly diagnose and address these issues, perhaps by administering antibiotics, to prevent further complications.
Prevent Complications
Finally, neglecting a severe toothache can result in the spread of an oral infection to other parts of the body. An appointment with your emergency dentist can potentially prevent such infections from leading to serious health consequences such as sepsis, a type of infection that spreads. Equally, treating a dental abscess without delay should also prevent it from spreading to the jaw.
To learn more, contact an emergency dentist in your area.
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