Facial pain can make everyday activities like eating, speaking, and sleeping uncomfortable. While sinus problems, injuries, and other medical conditions can cause facial discomfort, dental emergencies are another possible culprit. Infections, damaged teeth, and problems affecting the gums can cause pain that spreads beyond the mouth and into the jaw, cheeks, or ears. Read up on the common dental emergencies below that are known to result in facial pain.
Dental Abscesses
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can develop near a tooth’s root or in the surrounding gums, sometimes resulting from untreated decay, a cracked tooth, or advanced gum disease.
Symptoms may include severe, persistent tooth pain, facial swelling, sensitivity to pressure, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth. As the infection spreads, discomfort may extend into your jaw or cheek.
A dental abscess requires prompt treatment and will not reliably resolve on its own. Contact an emergency dentist immediately if you suspect an infection. If you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, seek emergency medical care.
Cracked or Broken Teeth
A tooth can crack or break after a fall, sports injury, biting something hard, or experiencing significant tooth decay. Depending on the damage, you may notice sharp pain when biting, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or discomfort that radiates into nearby facial areas.
Even if a broken tooth does not hurt immediately, it should be evaluated promptly. The damage may expose sensitive inner layers of the tooth or allow bacteria to enter, increasing the risk of infection.
An emergency dentist can assess the damage and recommend appropriate treatment, such as bonding, a crown, or root canal therapy.
Severe Toothaches
Intense tooth pain may indicate deep decay, inflammation of the tooth’s pulp, or an infection developing inside the tooth. Pain may feel constant or throbbing and spread toward the jaw, temple, or ear.
Do not assume the problem will disappear if the pain temporarily subsides. Some dental conditions can worsen without treatment, even when symptoms change.
Schedule an urgent dental appointment to identify the cause and relieve the discomfort.
Dental Trauma
A knocked-out, displaced, or severely loosened tooth can cause significant pain and swelling around the mouth and face. These injuries may damage surrounding tissues and require immediate attention.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, avoid touching the root, and seek emergency dental care immediately. If possible, gently place it back in its socket without forcing it, or keep it in milk while traveling to the dentist.
Facial pain should never be ignored, especially when accompanied by swelling, fever, or severe tooth pain. Contact an emergency dentist when dental symptoms develop, and seek emergency medical care for breathing or swallowing difficulties or rapidly spreading swelling.
About the Practice
If you’re in the Frisco area and in dire need of emergency dental attention, our team at White Lotus Dental offers same-day and weekend appointments so we can take care of you as quickly as possible. We’re great with all ages and have a comfortable dental office with patient-friendly amenities to take your mind off your pain. Please call us at (469) 262-2111 for assistance from a live team member or contact us online.