If you’ve ever suffered from an intensely throbbing toothache, unbearable headache, or some other type of issue that made your mouth or face hurt, then you know all about how debilitating facial pain can sometimes be. But how do you know when this discomfort is serious enough to warrant a trip to see your emergency dentist; is facial pain always considered a dental emergency, or can it be safely left unaddressed? Here are some dental problems that are known for causing facial pain and why it’s usually in your best interest to contact your dentist for treatment.
What Causes Facial Pain?
Facial pain is technically a unifying term for anyone who experiences pain or discomfort in their face, cheeks, mouth, or forehead. But since this actually refers to a symptom and not a specific condition, it has several potential causes and can vary greatly in terms of intensity, location, duration, and how it’s resolved. Some types of facial pain are temporary and resolve on their own, while others may lead to chronic and seemingly unbearable pain that necessitates professional care. A few potential reasons for facial pain include but aren’t limited to:
- Oral health issues that have been left untreated, such as decay, cavities, or gum disease
- Underlying medical conditions
- Infections such as abscesses
- Nerve damage
- Dry sockets
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) due to bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Sinus infections
- Traumatic facial injury
- Headaches and migraines
How Can My Dentist Help?
Understanding what’s causing facial pain is the first step towards receiving treatment, which means that speaking with your dentist promptly should be your top priority if you’re experiencing an issue. They’ll be able to quickly diagnose the root of the problem and recommend appropriate steps, behaviors, and medication to manage and reduce your pain. It’s worth mentioning that the majority of dental issues have the potential to worsen if they aren’t dealt with swiftly, which often results in increased pain and discomfort!
For serious issues like dental abscesses, which are infections that target the soft, inner pulp of the tooth, root canal therapy is often utilized. Decayed or damaged teeth can typically be restored with solutions such as dental crowns, which function as both protective and aesthetic solutions. And TMD can usually be treated with the help of oral appliance therapy such as custom-made nightguards. Regardless of the source of the pain, once it’s been identified, your dentist can begin taking the appropriate steps to alleviate your discomfort and get your smile back on track.
Facial pain isn’t something that should be ignored, misjudged, or endured; there are several reasons for it, and many of them have the potential to worsen if left unaddressed!
About the Practice
The team at Berquist Family Dentistry has proudly served patients and families in the Crown Point, IN area for several years. The practice is helmed by Dr. Daniel Berquist and Dr. Robert Berquist. They’re thrilled to offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental services. They’re also equipped to treat dental emergencies, so don’t hesitate to contact the practice if you or a loved one has sustained an oral injury: (219) 226-0544.
