Pain can be kind of funny sometimes; it might seem like one thing is hurting when actually, it’s another thing that happens to be nearby. The result is that you could be experiencing serious discomfort, but not really know why.
If you’re dealing with facial pain, it’s almost certainly a sign of a dental emergency. You should call your dentist as soon as possible, and they’d be able to tell you more about what could be happening to you. That said, here are some of the most common reasons you might be experiencing facial pain.
Broken Tooth
First, it’s worth figuring out if you’ve broken a tooth. As silly as it sounds, it’s possible that a weak tooth can be broken without you even realizing it, especially if you’ve eaten hard foods recently or if you grind your teeth in your sleep.
Knowing that you’ve broken a tooth will affect the advice a dentist will give you, so you should closely examine your teeth for fractures in the area that hurts the most.
Oral Abscess
These are painful, pus-filled lumps that are the result of infection, usually caused by advanced gum disease. While the lump itself is small, it can cause swelling in the area around it. Pain can seem to start all at once and might be accompanied by fever or a foul taste in the mouth.
Pulpitis
This is another form of infection that progresses very far inside the tooth, usually as a result of a combination of tooth decay and severe gum disease. The result is a fairly significant toothache, which should feel like a throbbing coming from within the tooth itself. Usually, gum disease that’s progressed this far will need to be treated by a root canal.
TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, are the joints that connect the jaw to the face. If you grind your teeth habitually, or if you’ve recently been struck in the jaw, these joints may have become misaligned. This is called a TMJ disorder. These can cause pain when you open or close your mouth, along with other seemingly strange symptoms like migraines and vertigo due to the TMJ’s proximity to the inner ear.
Again, if you’re dealing with facial pain, you should contact a dentist immediately. They’ll schedule you an emergency appointment so that they can help alleviate your discomfort as quickly as possible.
About Our Practice
At Premier Family Dental, our philosophy is simple: treat our patients how we would like to be treated. That means showing our patients compassion and respect, but also ensuring that our office is outfitted with the latest technologies in oral medicine. The result is a level of care that we’re extremely proud of, and that you’re sure to love.
If you have any questions about dental emergencies, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (254) 732-0309.