Emergency dental services can address a wide range of oral health crises such as severe toothache, small oral lacerations, or dislodged teeth, and some dental emergencies can lead to significant discomfort in the face. While facial pain does not always indicate a dental emergency, there are cases where it means that you should head to your dentist’s office as soon as possible. Here’s how to tell if a dental health crisis is causing the pain in your face.
When Is My Facial Pain a Dental Emergency?
In some cases, facial pain is caused by severe oral infections or injuries that require immediate treatment. A few of these include:
Dental abscess
This infection happens when the pulp inside the tooth is exposed to harmful bacteria, and it can cause symptoms like persistent, throbbing pain, dental sensitivity, tender, swollen, or red gums, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, or fever. This condition typically gives itself away through a pus-filled bump in the gum tissue by the pained tooth, and it requires immediate dental attention to be resolved.
Dry socket
This severely painful condition results from the blood clot protecting an extracted tooth’s empty socket being dislodged. This exposes nerves and bone tissue to the oral environment, causing symptoms like radiating, persistent pain around the extraction site, the blood clot’s visible absence from the wound, and bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth. It’s important to have this condition addressed by a dental professional to prevent further pain and infection.
When Is Facial Pain Not a Dental Emergency?
There are several cases when facial pain is not indicative of a dental emergency, a few of these being:
- Sinus inflammation: If you experience uncomfortable pressure around the nose, above the upper molars, or beneath or behind the eyes, it may be the result of allergies or an upper respiratory infection leading to inflammation of your sinuses. While this pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, treating the issue may be a job for a primary care doctor or an ENT specialist.
- Broken jaw: If you have pain in front of your ear that gets worse when you move your mouth, difficulty chewing, or the sudden appearance of dental misalignment, it may be due to a broken jaw. If you suspect that your jaw has been broken, head to the emergency room.
Knowing how to get the care you need can help you relieve your pain and bring the situation to its best possible outcome. If you suspect that your facial pain is caused by a dental emergency, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Karen Littlefield Neil earned her dental doctorate at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and regularly participates in continuing education classes to refine her skills. She is proud to be a Fellow of the International Academy of Implant Dentistry and a member of the licensing committee for the Texas Dental Association. Her Fort Worth office provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (817) 738-3368. For non-urgent inquiries, contact the office online.