Are You Suffering from a Painful Dental Emergency?
Toothaches, or any kind of ache really, are never fun to experience. We thought we’d take a look at some common dental emergencies and the importance of seeing your dentist if you may be experiencing any toothaches, oral pain or are suffering from a painful dental emergency. Remember, if you’re overdue for a dental appointment, call us today to get that scheduled and stay on top of your oral health, which can help avoid some dental emergencies in the future.
Related Article: When You Need a Same Day Emergency Appointment
How to Tell It’s a Dental Emergency
Not every situation is a painful dental emergency, but it’s important to know when you need to call your dentist right away. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you in severe pain?
- Are you bleeding from the mouth?
- Do you have a loose tooth/teeth?
- Do you have an infection?
- Have you lost a tooth?
- Are you experiencing major swelling in the face or mouth?
In general, if you need to stop any major bleeding, pain, or save a tooth – there’s no doubt you’re dealing with a dental emergency. Let’s take a look at some of the more common dental emergencies we see.
Related Article: Emergency Appointment: Do You Have a Toothache?
5 Most Common Dental Emergencies
- Broken Crown – If a dental crown falls off or completely breaks, it leaves your tooth very vulnerable. Schedule with us quickly to possibly avoid a root canal or extraction.
- Knocked-out Tooth/Teeth – If you’ve ever had a tooth knocked out, you know what a shock that can be. When you act quickly after a tooth has been knocked out, it’s possible that we may be able to reinsert your tooth. Pick up the tooth carefully, try not to touch the root, and gently rinse. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket, but if you can’t, place in a small container of milk until you see your dentist.
- Unexplainable Toothache – If you have a sudden, out-of-the-blue toothache, it’s important to reach out quickly to discover the source of the pain. While over-the-counter pain meds and a cold compress can help temporarily, it’s good to get to the source of the pain sooner rather than later; your odds of a minor fix will be much greater the faster you see your dentist.
- Bleeding or Swollen Gums – Some minor bleeding or irritation here and there is usually just fine and not concerning. However, if your gums won’t stop bleeding and is accompanied with swelling, it can often mean there’s an underlying health or dental issue that needs to be addressed.
- Food or Object Lodged in Teeth – If an object piece or stubborn piece of food gets lodged, brushing and flossing won’t help. Get professional help quickly to remove the food/object and prevent any decay or irritation.
Related Article: Handling Dental Emergencies
Let’s Talk Toothaches
Toothaches are tricky — they can feel like a minor tinge or they can cause crippling pain. That’s why we want to share some common toothache causes, their symptoms and when you should seek help from your dentist if you are suffering from a painful dental emergency because of a toothache.
What is the definition of a toothache?
Pain or inflammation in or around the tooth, often caused by tooth infection or decay.
What are common toothache causes?
A toothache can have causes that are not due to underlying disease. Toothache causes may include getting something stuck in between the teeth, flossing, biting into something hard, or braces. Remember, in children, tooth pain is a regular part of the developmental process.
Common Toothache Causes:
- Tooth decay
- Abscessed tooth
- Tooth fracture or broken tooth
- Sensitive Teeth
- Damaged filling
- Infected gums or gum disease
- Inflammation of tooth pulp
- Impacted tooth
- Repetitive motions, such as grinding teeth or chewing gum
- Sinus congestion or infection (non-dental related issues)
Common Symptoms of a Toothache:
- Tooth pain that may be constant, throbbing, or sharp
- Bleeding or discharge from around a tooth or gums
- Headache or fever
- Trauma or injury to the area
- Cold or hot sensitivity when eating or drinking
- Swelling in your jaw or around the tooth
- Tooth pain while chewing
- Pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth, for some people
- Foul-tasting drainage from the tooth infection
We Provide Same Day Emergency Services
Your Dental Pain is Our TOP Priority … call us today at 816-373-4440
If you are suffering from a painful dental emergency, we offer Emergency Dental Appointments, because we know they are more than just an everyday dental issue. If you’re dealing with pain or injury, it’s important to be seen right away. Our philosophy on dental emergencies is very simple “If you need toothache relief or another type of dental emergency, you are first in line… PERIOD.” Our Kansas City and Independence, MO offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM-5 PM, and our talented Doctors will be there to provide urgent dental care. We are willing to come in early, stay late, and even work through lunch to get you in, treated and comfortable again. Give us a call at 816-373-4440 … we can get you out of pain.
Contact us today to schedule your dental appointment and meet with our skilled dentists at one of our three conveniently located dental office locations within the Kansas City area, including Lee’s Summit / Independence, the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City. The gentle dentists and expert team at Thomas L. Anderson and Associates look forward to working with you to treat your dental emergency, achieve proper oral health and a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions about your dental insurance benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to review your policy! Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment and become part of our dental family.