It’s morning, and you wake up only to feel sharp pain radiating throughout your face. The discomfort keeps you from going to work and instead, you opt to take some over-the-counter pain relievers and lay back down hoping it will go away. After a few hours, you awaken only to realize that while the pain minimally subsided, it’s still causing major discomfort. Could this be a dental emergency that you’re unaware of? Find out more about the various cases that can lead to facial pain and when it might be time to seek professional help.
What is the Cause of My Facial Pain?
There are countless reasons why you may be experiencing facial pain. It can be the result of a severe headache or migraine, nerve damage, or a sudden injury. It can also be linked to dental injuries that you may or may not find to be urgent.
One important thing to remember when it comes to dental emergencies is that if you are in pain, it’s always best to call and schedule an appointment with your dentist. This will alert them to the situation so that they can work quickly to get you in.
If none of the above-mentioned scenarios are the reason for your facial pain, it may be that you are dealing with an infection or serious oral health problem, some of which might include:
- An abscess can develop inside your tooth (the pulp) and cause throbbing pain, tooth sensitivity, fever, and other similar symptoms.
- A dry socket can form after having a tooth removed. Should a blood clot dislodge, it can result in increasing pain throughout the extraction site and face as well as bad breath.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is known for causing jaw pain due to inflammation or injury of the joints. This can cause pain to radiate throughout the area and within your ears and head.
How Can a Dentist Help?
When visiting your emergency dentist for help, you can expect there to be diagnostic images taken of your mouth and facial structure. Using advanced dental technology to scan your mouth, your dentist will review their findings and determine the underlying cause of your pain.
Based on the problem and its severity, they will decide which treatment option is right for you. This may be a tooth extraction if you have an abscess, an occlusal splint for TMD therapy, or thorough cleansing of the surgical site and antibiotics if you have a dry socket. Other treatments are available and will be incorporated into your treatment plan if necessary.
No matter the reason for your facial pain, you can trust that by seeking the help of a trusted dentist, you’ll find yourself out of pain much quicker than if you attempt to treat it at home by yourself. Even if you’re unsure whether it is a dental emergency you’re dealing with, it’s always better to let an expert take a look, as it can potentially save your smile.
About the Practice
At Midtown Family Dentistry, our team of five highly qualified dental professionals is here to deliver state-of-the-art dental care in a modern, unique, and comfortable environment. When dental emergencies occur, we know it’s important that our patients be free of pain as quickly as possible, which is why you’ll find us administering care on the same day. We’re even open evenings and Saturdays, so if you are struggling with facial pain that won’t go away, contact us at (469) 529-6016.