Dentist New Braunfels: Is a Toothache an Emergency?

A sudden toothache can bring your day to a grinding halt. Snacks and meals become nothing but uncomfortable. Your concentration can suffer. Even winding down at night can be a challenge. A toothache is your body’s way of demanding attention. 

You can get that attention at Sapphire Creek Dental from our emergency dentist in New Braunfels. That’s because a toothache can be an emergency, especially if it’s interfering with your daily life. Below, we explore potential causes of your pain and when to seek urgent care. Regardless, we’ll work to find a solution. 

What Causes Toothaches?

Tooth Decay and Cavities

This is probably your first thought, and with good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over a quarter of adults have untreated cavities. 

When decay penetrates the enamel, it can expose the sensitive nerves within your tooth, causing that telltale ache. Regular dental checkups can help catch cavities early, but if pain starts suddenly, emergency care may be necessary.

Teeth Grinding

Also called bruxism, teeth grinding and clenching can eventually wear down your enamel. Enamel is the protective outer layer of your teeth. Without it, you can experience sensitivity and tooth pain. 

You could also get a bruxism-related pain from a cracked tooth. Your jaw muscles can exert 200 pounds of force on your back molars, so even the strongest teeth can eventually crack from that pressure. A toothache is one of the symptoms of a crack. 

Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, doesn’t just hurt your gums. You can start to feel the inflammation in your teeth. 

In fact, at the advanced stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis, you may start to experience tooth loss. If you have swollen, bleeding gums along with severe tooth pain, seek care from our dentist in New Braunfels. 

Tooth Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can cause severe tooth pain and swelling. This condition requires immediate attention to prevent the spread of infection and preserve your tooth, so never ignore a severe toothache accompanied by swelling. Get care right away. 

Trauma or Injury

Accidents happen, and a blow to the mouth can result in a knocked-out, cracked, or broken tooth. An emergency dentist in New Braunfels should treat dental injuries like these as soon as possible to save the tooth and prevent complications.

When Is a Toothache Considered an Emergency?

While our team at Sapphire Creek Dental understands that tooth pain is uncomfortable, it’s not always a dental emergency. You may not need to rearrange your day to visit our office right away. In some cases, you can wait for a regular appointment to get help. 

That said, you may be experiencing an emergency if you have a severe toothache plus:

• Damage
• Swelling
• Fever
• Bleeding 
• Lost Teeth
• Lost Restorations

If you experience any of these issues, reach out to our emergency dentist in New Braunfels. 

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Ignoring or downplaying a dental emergency can mean more severe health complications later. For example, an untreated infection could spread to other parts of the body, causing systemic issues. 

Early intervention by our team can prevent these complications and offer pain relief. There’s no need to suffer or act tough. Just reach out to see what your options are for a toothache. We can advise you on when to schedule an appointment. 

How to Manage Tooth Pain Before Seeing a Dentist

While it’s crucial to see a dentist for a definitive solution, there are temporary measures you can take to manage tooth pain until your appointment.

• Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: These pain relievers can provide temporary relief from pain. Always follow the recommended dosage. Don’t put aspirin directly on your gums.
• Cold Compress: Apply a compress to the affected area to reduce swelling and numb the pain. Wrap ice in a cloth and apply it to the outside of your cheek for 15-20 minutes.
• Saltwater Rinse: This can cleanse the mouth and reduce inflammation. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swish it around your mouth, and then spit it out.

Tooth Pain? Take Action

Emergency or not, don’t live with tooth pain any longer. Get started on relief at Sapphire Creek Dental today. Our dentist in New Braunfels can track down the cause of your discomfort and treat the issue at the source. Your tooth is demanding attention. We’re here to answer the call.