3 Signs Your Toothache Needs Immediate Attention

Most people will experience some sort of discomfort in their mouth, teeth, or gums at one point. This discomfort could stem from a variety of things, such as an underlying dental condition, injury, or a sore in the mouth. Unfortunately, some people will have a toothache caused by an infection that requires immediate attention to prevent dental issues and illnesses. Here are a few signs your toothache requires emergency care.

Severe Pain

Again, pain is common. However, if you are experiencing a throbbing pain that affects your teeth, mouth, and head, make sure to seek out emergency care.

Many people compare severe toothache pain to the worst pain they have ever experienced. This pain can be so severe, it is preventing you from sleeping and functioning as normal during the day. In most cases, this severe, throbbing pain is indicative of an infection that has spread into the tooth's roots and gum tissue.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease your pain. In addition, an ice pack can number the affected tooth until your dentist can evaluate your oral health.

Swelling

Swelling around the affected tooth, gum tissue, and jaw are also signs you should seek out emergency care quickly to find and treat the cause of your toothache.

The swelling may stem from a broken tooth or leftover fragments of a tooth that has been lost. Swelling in and around the tooth, gum tissue, and jaw may also indicate you have a form of gum disease, which will require treatment to reduce the pain and protect your mouth from the further or potential loss of teeth.

An ice pack or heating pad on the side of the mouth where it has swollen can alleviate some of the inflammation until you are able to see your dentist.

Fever

Most experts believe you have a fever whenever your temperature measures over 98.6 degrees. However, if you have a fever of 100.4 or higher, it is a significant cause for concern.

Pain and swelling of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw are serious signs, but a high fever is also a sign you need to address the toothache in more detail. The fever is the body's response to an underlying issue, such as an infection, causing the immune system to work harder to fight the illness.

Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for not only your pain, but also to help control the fever. Then, make sure to consult a dentist or doctor about the toothache as soon as possible. It is important to act fast when you have a fever. 

For more information, reach out to a local dental clinic.


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