Depending on how severely your tooth hurts, you might not be too concerned about a bit of tooth sensitivity, much less consider it an emergency. More prominent toothaches, however, can sometimes cause enough discomfort that finding relief may seem as much of an emergency as a knocked-out tooth. Most causes of toothaches can progress into dental emergencies if not treated. However, to help you determine if you should schedule an immediate visit, we discuss when a toothache can mean imminent dental trouble.
What Your Toothache Could Mean
Cracked, fractured, broken, or knocked-out (avulsed) teeth are common, and often obvious, dental emergencies. Besides the aching, damage can also expose your tooth to infection, and tooth loss can have a debilitating effect on the rest of your oral health. Yet, other situations, such as a developing cavity, can begin as minor issues and mild toothaches, but quickly become more serious as the issue progresses.
When to Schedule an Emergency Dental Visit
On occasion, your tooth might momentarily hurt for no reason other than biting down too hard on something. As long as the tooth has not sustained any damage, there should be no cause for worry, and the aching will dissipate on its own. In more common cases, however, we advise scheduling a dental visit as soon as possible if you notice that your tooth aches, or is sensitive to pressure.
If a toothache develops suddenly, especially if it is severe and you are not aware of damaging it, then it may be a dental emergency, and you should call our office for an emergency visit immediately.
ABOUT YOUR LONGVIEW DENTISTS:
At DentaCare Dental in Longview, we focus on advanced technology, education, and comfort to offer every patient a pleasant experience and excellent dental care. To schedule a consultation, call our Longview, TX office today at (903) 758-5921. For optimal convenience, we also serve patients at our various other locations in Tyler, Garland, and Arlington, TX, as well as Bossier City, LA.