Tooth pain isn’t something anyone wants to deal with, as even slight pain can negatively impact your day. While, generally, tooth pain isn’t something you should ignore, is it urgent? The answer to this depends on multiple factors, including the cause and severity.
At Smart Dental Care, we want you to receive the care you need to keep a healthy smile free of pain. So, we provide emergency dentistry services to people of all ages and families in the Holladay, Utah, area.
We often treat patients dealing with toothaches, so if you want to know more about what causes tooth pain and when to call us for emergency dentistry, we’ve put together this useful guide.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
A dental emergency is simply any dental issue that needs immediate care from a dental professional. Of course, many dental problems that need care aren’t urgent or an emergency. In some cases, you can make an appointment for a future date.
However, issues that will worsen if not treated promptly or that put your health at risk do require urgent dental care.
Some of the most common types of dental emergencies include:
- Knocked-Out Tooth
- Badly Cracked Tooth
- Lost or Broken Tooth Restoration, Such as a Crown or Bridge
- Severe Toothache
- Dental Abscess
The best thing to do if you think you have a dental emergency is to give our office a call. We can give you further instructions based on the type of dental issue you have, and we can also let you know if you need to see a medical doctor.
However, if you have a broken bone or severe bleeding, seek emergency medication attention right away.
What Causes Tooth Pain?
Tooth pain has many potential causes. Sometimes, the pain is mild and comes and goes, other times, it is severe and constant. Some of the most common causes of toothaches include:
- Cavities and Tooth Decay
- Tooth Chips or Cracks
- Tooth Abscess
- Breaks in Dental Restorations, like a Crown or Filling
- Tooth Grinding
- Gum Disease
- Trauma to Teeth, Gums, or Tongue
- Objects Stuck Between Your Teeth
Regardless of the cause of your tooth pain, our dentists are here to help with fast, quality dental treatment.
When to See an Emergency Dentist for a Toothache
When tooth pain is mild or fleeting, it’s generally not a dental emergency. This could be caused by tooth sensitivity or by a small chip. While you’ll likely still want to see a dentist, you can’t wait to make an appointment.
However, if you’re dealing with the following, you should call our office for emergency dental care:
- Your toothache lasts longer than two days
- The pain is severe
- You have a tooth abscess
- The pain won’t go away with painkillers
- You have red or swollen gums
If you aren’t sure if your toothache is serious or not, don’t hesitate to call our office! Our friendly dental staff are happy to assist you and advise you on what to do next.
Call for Emergency Dentistry in Utah!
Whether you’re dealing with a toothache or another urgent dental issue, Smart Dental Care can assist you with prompt, compassionate care. Drs. Ashton and Nguyen can help patients of all ages with sudden dental problems.
Tooth pain isn’t a good time, and you deserve to have relief as quickly as possible. Contact our office in Holladay, UT, to get help with a dental emergency!