Is a Dental Emergency Behind Your Facial Pain?

Are you struggling with facial pain? The discomfort you’re feeling can put a damper on your everyday life, and you might be wondering what’s causing it. While there are multiple things that can be the culprit, there are several dental emergencies that could be the reason. To help you feel confident handling the situation, here are four dental-related culprits you should know.

1.)  Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Your wisdom teeth are the last set to come in. They typically start to erupt in your late teens to early 20s, but they can come in at an angle. Not only that, but they might not even break through the gumline and can put pressure against nearby teeth. You’ll likely experience swelling and a persistent pain that won’t go away if this is the case.

2.)  Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Also known as bruxism, you may do this habit subconsciously during the night. It can lead to excess wear on your smile, but your jaw muscles might also be under too much stress. They can become sore and cause the facial pain you’re feeling. You might notice that it’s worse during the morning, but your dentist can help you by giving you a nightguard. This handy appliance acts like a barrier to protect your grin.

3.)  Dental Abscess

If you have a tooth infection, then you might already be familiar with the toothache it can cause. While this is already an emergency, it can be an even bigger one if it causes a dental abscess. This is a small pimple-like bump that’s on your gums near the affected structure. It often causes severe pain, along with swelling and a fever. Getting it treated by your dentist right away can give you the relief you deserve.

4.)  Dry Socket

Although dry socket is a more situational reason, it can be the case if you had a tooth removed recently. A blood clot forms in the extraction site to protect nerve endings and keep it clean. However, if this healing component is dissolved or dislodged before initial healing is done, then it can lead to intense discomfort.

In the end, your facial pain might have a dental-related reason behind it! It’s better to be safe than sorry, so by letting your dentist take a look, they can double-check to see if it is a problem they can fix. That way, you get the relief you deserve or know who to call next.

About the Author

Dr. John Kuan earned his dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He is happy to help the Royse City community throughout their oral healthcare journey, especially during dental emergencies. By offering same-day visits, you can get the reliable solution you need to fix the situation. If you have facial pain and suspect it might be one of the issues above, schedule an appointment or call Dr. Kuan’s office at (469) 723-4000.