There can be various explanations for facial pain. In many cases, it could be the result of a dental emergency that requires swift attention. To ensure that you’re prepared for the worst-case scenario, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the issues that could be responsible for facial discomfort. Below are 3 examples of dental emergencies that facial pain can be a symptom of.
1. An Infected or Abscessed Tooth
If a cavity goes untreated for too long, harmful bacteria could eventually reach the tooth’s pulp, resulting in an infection. Eventually, the bacteria can spread to the root, causing a pocket of pus known as an abscess to form. Not only can this result in a severe toothache, but the pain can radiate to the jaw or the ear.
An abscessed tooth is not an issue that you can afford to ignore. Over time, the infection could start to spread to the rest of your body. As such, if you experience facial pain accompanied by a bump on your gums or other signs of an infected tooth, you should call your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment.
2. Dry Socket
This is a type of dental emergency that you could potentially experience after a tooth extraction. Under normal circumstances, a blood clot is meant to form at the extraction site to protect the underlying nerves and bone. But if the blood clot becomes dislodged or never forms in the first place, the result is dry socket, which is often accompanied by pain that radiates to other parts of the face.
If dry socket isn’t properly addressed, the healing process could be delayed. It’s best to call your dentist as soon as possible to see what steps they recommend to deal with the problem.
3. TMJ Disorder
TMJ is short for “temporomandibular joint”, which is the name of the joint that keeps the lower jaw connected to the rest of the skull. If this joint is injured or overworked, you may experience what is known as a TMJ disorder. This condition often results in chronic jaw pain as well as headaches.
TMJ disorder doesn’t always rise to the level of an emergency, but it could be considered one if it’s causing severe pain or is making it difficult to open your mouth. As soon as you suspect that you have a TMJ disorder, you should get in touch with your dentist; that way, you can get the treatment you need before the problem has a chance to grow any worse.
About the Practice
At Shinkawa Dental, our dentists have over 50 years of combined experience, and they’re more than happy to offer quality dental care to patients of all ages. We offer same-day appointments for patients who might be suffering from infected teeth and other urgent dental issues. If you need to schedule an emergency visit with our team, contact our office in Fresno by calling (559) 226-5656.