Dental Emergencies

Dental Pain: When Should You Call a Dentist?

Posted June 7, 2022 3 min read

Home » Blog » Dental Pain: When Should You Call a Dentist?

There is truly nothing worse than a bad toothache. It seems you can’t think about anything else! The trouble is, you don’t know if it’s something that will get better or worse, and it can strike at any time ‘ while you’re at home or on vacation far from any dentist you know.

So how do you know when it’s time to finally call a dentist? First, let’s look at a few recommendations’

What Is My Tooth Trying to Tell Me?

Your tooth doesn’t just hurt for no reason. Your tooth pain could be a warning of something more. Maybe you have an infection or cavity that needs to be taken care of. A toothache could be a sign of a sinus infection or the beginning of allergy season too.

It’s best to get your tooth pain checked out by your dentist as soon as you are feeling symptoms. While it could be minor, it could also be an issue that could worsen with time, causing you even more pain and costing you more money if ignored.

What Cannot Wait?

Some dental pain conditions just cannot wait. Some of these may include:

An abscessed tooth or obvious infection
Dental trauma (knocked-out tooth, loose tooth, or severe bleeding)
Broken tooth
Loss of a dental filling, crown, or more
Severe tooth pain

If you are concerned about an oral health problem of any kind, it is best not to wait. Instead, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Tricks to Try at Home

If you can’t get to your dentist when tooth pain strikes, there are a few tricks you can try at home until your pain subsides or you are able to visit your dentist.

1. Apply a cool compress to help with any swelling and provide pain relief by numbing the area for a few minutes.

2. Take pain medication that can be found over the counter. Medication such as Ibuprofen can help with inflammation as well as pain relief.

3. Try clove oil! This essential oil is becoming more and more well known for quick relief of dental pain. Simply apply clove oil to the painful area (including the tooth and gums) for a natural way to achieve pain relief. You’ll be amazed at how effective it is!

4. A saltwater rinse can be a soothing way to reduce inflammation and ease the pain you are feeling.

Don’t Wait to Call Your Dentist

While it’s tempting to try some at-home remedies before calling your dentist, it’s wise to get any kind of tooth pain checked out by a professional as soon as you can.

The dental professionals at myDental provide experienced dental care that you can count on. By having any dental pain examined, our dentists can repair any problems as well as prevent them from getting worse.

Staying current with your dental cleanings and exams is a way to prevent getting caught with dental pain when you least expect it. So if it’s time to schedule a checkup and cleaning, please book an appointment at a location nearest you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Severe, constant pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication, swelling in the face or jaw, pain accompanied by fever, and pain from a knocked-out or badly broken tooth all require an immediate call. These symptoms can indicate an abscess, infection, or other urgent condition that needs prompt professional treatment.

Common causes include cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, gum disease, tooth infections or abscesses, worn enamel, and teeth grinding. Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods often signals early decay or exposed tooth roots. In some cases, sinus pressure or jaw disorders can also produce pain that feels like it is coming from the teeth.

An emergency dental exam typically costs $50 to $200 without insurance. Treatment costs depend on the cause, ranging from $150 to $400 for a filling to $700 to $1,500 for a root canal. Most dental insurance plans cover a significant portion of diagnostic exams and necessary treatments after meeting the deductible.

Rinsing with warm salt water can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the affected area. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek in 15-minute intervals helps numb pain and reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are effective for managing discomfort until a dental appointment can be scheduled.

Mild, occasional sensitivity that goes away quickly can be monitored for a few days, especially if it follows a known trigger like cold drinks. Pain that lasts more than one to two days, is getting worse, or disrupts sleep should prompt a call to the dentist. A dentist can evaluate the source of the pain and recommend treatment before the issue progresses.