Tooth pain can be anywhere from annoying to excruciating. What kind of pain you have will help to determine the level of care you need. If the pain is minor, the tooth is intact, there isn’t swelling, and you aren’t bleeding, you may simply need to schedule an appointment for as soon as you can. If the issue is worse, though, you’ll want to consider setting an appointment for an emergency service.

Below is more information about the reasons for tooth pain, if it’s an emergency, choosing the right dentist, and preventing common causes of tooth pain.

Reasons for Tooth Pain

There are actually quite a few different reasons for tooth pain. These include:

Cavity and Tooth Decay

If your teeth aren’t properly cared for, there is a good chance that you will eventually develop cavities due to tooth decay. At first, this may be only a small discomfort, but over time it can grow to be pretty painful.

Root Infection

If the decay continues to spread, you may end up with infected root pulp. If this occurs, you’ll likely be in a higher level of pain than a standard cavity. Still, most of the time this isn’t and emergency. With that said, give 24/7 Dental a call if you have a root infection. It needs to be addressed before the infection spreads.

Bruxism

Bruxism (also known as teeth grinding and/or clenching) is an ailment that many people suffer from without even knowing it. While some people grind and clench their teeth during the day, many others do so at night. Because of this, it can be difficult to catch.

If you wake up with a sore jaw, headache, and/or teeth pain, reach out to your dentist to see if you need a mouth guard.

Wisdom Teeth

As your wisdom teeth come in, it can cause everything from a small ache to severe pain. Wisdom teeth can also impact healthy teeth, which leads to lots of problems. As soon as your wisdom teeth start to emerge you should speak with your dentist about removal. This is especially so if they are causing you discomfort and possible problems in the future with your healthy teeth.

Broken Tooth

If a large portion of your tooth is broken, it’s likely that it will cause pain. Small chips may not, but big breaks generally will. You will also experience sensitivity. If your tooth is broken or has been knocked out, you are in need of emergency services.

Is It a Dental Emergency?

There are quite a few different reasons why you may need emergency dentistry.

Below are a few examples of dental emergencies: 

  •       Cracked, chipped, broken, or knocked out tooth, teeth, or dental restoration
  •       Sore and swollen gums
  •       Painful teeth or jaw
  •       Oral bleeding
  •       Damaged orthodontics 
  •       Extreme or sudden sensitivity 
  •       Damaged or loose crowns
  •       Dental infection
  •       Broken fillings
  •       Broken or bent dentures

If you are experiencing any of these issues, you need to contact an emergency dentist immediately. For an outstanding dental practice that has lots of availability when it comes to dental emergencies, reach out to 24/7 Dental. We are open 7 days a week and perform a variety of different emergency dentistry services.

Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Tooth Pain

Whether you are experiencing mild or severe tooth pain, you’ll want to make sure you find the right provider to provide you with the best dental services possible. Below are a few of the things you’ll want to look for when picking the right dental provider…

Experience

Some dentists are just getting their practice off the ground, while other dentists have been in business for years. If you are experiencing tooth pain, you should consider a dentist that has been in the industry for a long time and has lots of experience. They will be able to identify and address the issue causing your tooth pain.

Availability

Even if you find the best dentist ever, they may have no openings available. You may need to contact a few offices to find a provider with openings. This isn’t a big issue unless you have a dental emergency. You will need to find a provider with an open schedule quickly.

24/7 Dental is open 7 days a week from 8 AM – 12 AM. We have lots of openings for patients that are in need of emergency services. We also offer general dentistry services and more. If you are experiencing tooth pain of any kind, give us a call!

Insurance Coverage

Dental insurance can come in handy if you are experiencing tooth pain. With that said, you may not have insurance, or your insurance may not cover the entire procedure. This is especially so for emergency services. That’s why you’ll want to find an emergency provider that works with companies that provide financial support.

24/7 Dental works with top providers of financial support for those in need of medical assistance. Let us know if you need help and we’ll put you in contact with a top provider.

Preventing Tooth Pain

The best thing you can do for tooth pain is to take proper care of your oral health. This means brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day, every day. It also means scheduling an appointment with the dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. With proper oral healthcare, you’ll be able to avoid most issues that lead to tooth pain. This includes developing a cavity, root pulp infection, and many other ailments.

If you don’t have an appointment in the books for your next cleaning and checkup, make sure you contact 24/7 Dental so we can get you scheduled for an appointment.

Reach Out To 24/7 Dental

If you are experiencing tooth pain and need support, reach out to 24/7 Dental. We are available both for regular appointments and emergency services. We will discover the source of your tooth pain and provide you with the care you need to resolve the issue. You’ll be feeling better before you know it!