The best time to learn how to deal with a dental emergency is before it happens–and that’s exactly what this blog will do for you. Naperville dentist Dr. Thomas F. Brown will be the first to tell you that oral pain doesn’t always originate from teeth—though it often does. Jaw pain, gum problems, swelling, and other oral abnormalities can interrupt daily life and sleep, yet many patients try to ignore early discomfort even when it warrants a dental visit. In today’s blog, you’ll learn how waiting too long can turn manageable symptoms into severe pain and a true dental emergency, and how to decide when to seek urgent care versus scheduling an appointment for another day.
Our goal is always to get you out of pain first. To relieve mouth pain, Dr. Brown will perform a comprehensive oral exam using X-rays and intraoral images, identify the cause, and clearly explain your treatment options. Once your discomfort is addressed, you and Dr. Brown can clearly determine the best course of action for long-term oral health. If you’re experiencing a toothache or mouth pain in Naperville, call us now at (630) 296-9176. Our team can help you determine whether your symptoms require an immediate visit.
Throbbing or Sharp Tooth Pain–Often Dental, Sometimes Urgent
When a toothache pulses with pain or becomes worse at night, the culprit may be infection involving the tooth’s nerve.
If you feel sharp pain when chewing or biting food, the cause could be a deep cavity, crack, or inflammation at the tooth root.
Tooth sensitivity that lingers after exposure to a hot food or beverage is more concerning than cold sensitivity.
Any pain that disrupts sleep, causes you to not fall asleep or wakes you from sleep, warrants an immediate visit to see Dr. Brown.
Tooth Pain That Comes and Goes–The Most Common Reason People Delay Care
We often take action with our health, including oral health, when we are in pain or discomfort. When pain subsides, along with it goes the desire to act. So, if a toothache comes and goes, people tend to delay treatment until the pain becomes consistent, distracting, and disruptive. Waiting until a toothache reaches this point means the problem has become notably worse. As a result, treatment may become more invasive, time-consuming, and costly. You may even lose the tooth. So if you have an intermittent toothache, treat it as an alert from your body and visit the dentist.
Why does pain come and go? When a tooth’s nerve becomes affected, pain flares with inflammation. Commonly, the nerve calms and flares as infection worsens. When pain decreases or stops for a short time, do not fall victim to believing your tooth is healing. Teeth do not heal without professional dental treatment.
Facial Swelling or Pressure–When Infection May Be Spreading
If your cheek, jawline, or gums appear swollen, infection is likely present. Pressure from building infection in and around a tooth may be felt before pain develops. A sure red flag is fever, especially when combined with a feeling of being physically run down.
When swelling and pain occur, it is often a dental emergency.
Jaw Pain, Clicking, and Locking–Dental Emergency or TMJ Disorder?
Not all pain is dental, meaning related to teeth. One in ten Americans has a TMJ disorder, according to research.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joints, those hinges that connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone). Between the bones of the joint, a disc provides cushioning. When one or both TMJs become unbalanced, associated muscles, connective tissues, and nerves become overworked. This leads to clenching and grinding teeth, often while asleep, a condition called bruxism. Teeth grinding leads to the erosion of molars, which alters the bite (occlusion). A spiral of symptoms and problems can begin if TMJ disorder develops.
Symptoms of TMJ disorder:
- Clicking jaw joints
- Popping jaw joints
- Jaw pain or sensitivity
- Grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- Jaw locking
- Difficulty fully opening/closing the mouth
- Muscle pain around jaw, neck, shoulders
- Headaches, migraines
When jaw pain accompanies swelling, trauma, fever, or sudden bite changes, Dr. Brown can examine you and determine whether TMJ disorder or infection is the cause of your pain.
Mouth Ulcers, Gum Sores, Soft Tissue Pain–Usually Not an Emergency
Mouth sores include canker sores, gum irritation, cuts/abrasions, suspicious lesions, and other abnormal tissue changes. Most wounds in the mouth heal within 14 days and are not dangerous or progressive. However, mouth sores not caused by an obvious source may stem from issues like viral infections, autoimmune disease, or oral cancer.
A mouth sore that lasts longer than two weeks, worsens, spreads, becomes acutely painful, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, or swallowing difficulties, warrants a call to our office.
Knocked Out, Cracked, or Broken Tooth–Time Matters More Than Pain
Trauma to a tooth or other oral structure may cause a tooth to become chipped, fractured, loose, or completely detached from its socket. In the moment, adrenaline surges and you may not notice pain from hidden causes, like tooth fractures. Any pain caused by oral trauma should be evaluated by a dentist.
If a tooth is knocked out, find it if possible. Place the tooth into a baggie of the patient’s saliva or some milk. If the tooth is dirty, do not touch its root; hold it by the crown and gently rinse the tooth with clean water. If possible, you can reseat the tooth into the socket and hold it there–but only if it doesn’t cause discomfort. Take the tooth and patient to our office. Call to let us know you’re coming, if possible. If our office is closed, you may go to the nearest emergency room. In some cases, a dislodged tooth can reattach, but time is of the essence.
When in Doubt, Call Dr. Brown!
Do not panic. Just call us at (630) 296-9176 with your emergency dentistry questions. A quick call can prevent complications. As your Naperville dentist, Dr. Brown prefers to help patients avoid emergencies through preventive and daily oral care. If you are uncertain whether your symptoms warrant urgent care, call today and schedule your appointment with Dr. Thomas F. Brown.