Whether it’s an urgent dental emergency or minor temporary pain, a toothache is not a symptom you want to let linger. For any tooth pain lasting more than a couple of days, please contact our office immediately. With proper oral care habits, most patients only need an office visit twice a year. However, those with a higher risk of dental or gum decay or disease may need to visit us every three or four months. For tooth pain lasting only a day or two, it’s usually fine to wait until your next scheduled visit unless the pain returns.
Severity and Duration of Tooth Pain
If pain is severe and/or long-lasting, it could be an indicator of decayed pulp tissue that is acutely infected and very close to the nerve. Depending on the cause of your tooth pain, our office can recommend a crown, veneers, composite bonding, dental implant, or root canal to repair or restore your teeth. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection. In addition, chipped or broken teeth, bleeding or swollen gums, and cuts or lacerations to the gums, tongue, or cheeks should be addressed by our office as soon as possible. These injuries may need stitches or antibiotics to prevent infection.
The Risks of Ignoring a Toothache
Tooth pain, like other types of pain, is a sign that something is askew with your dental health. The longer you ignore lasting pain, the more at risk you become of developing a serious condition. The most prevalent types of toothache pain is pain due to tooth decay and tooth sensitivity. Each of these conditions is easily treatable, especially when caught in the early stages of development.
Infection and Abscesses
An infection sets in when a pathogen enters the body, often through an infected wound or cut, which would include tooth decay as a site for infection. If you postpone addressing a toothache, infection can spread to vital organs, such as your lungs, or to your blood. Infections, when left untreated, can result in a tooth abscess, in which the area surrounding the tooth becomes infected and swollen with pus. Once a tooth abscess has formed, the infection can spread directly to your brain, causing irreversible damage or even death.
Never ignore a toothache lasting more than a day or two. It is an indicator that something is amiss with your oral health. Catching a toothache early, on the other hand, can protect not only your dental health, but your overall health, and even your life. Contact River Valley Smiles immediately for tooth pain lasting more than two days at 479-646-0706.
