Is My Toothache Considered a Dental Emergency?

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know just how disruptive the experience can be. Tooth pain is often difficult to ignore, but it isn’t always clear when dental discomfort crosses the line and becomes a dental emergency. 

At R&J Dental, Habib Rahemtulla, DDS, is here to help San Antonio, Texas, residents find quick relief for toothaches and other urgent dental health needs. Same-day visits are often available, and the entire team is here to help when you need us. 

What does a toothache feel like?

Tooth pain can vary in intensity. Sometimes, a toothache can feel like nothing more than a bit of sensitivity when you bite or chew. Other times, you might notice lingering sensations of a dull, throbbing pain, but the discomfort isn’t enough to interrupt your day. 

A more intense toothache might cause sharp, stabbing pain. The discomfort might be nearly constant and could spike when you eat, drink, or open your mouth to speak. 

No matter how minor your symptoms seem, taking action when you experience tooth or gum pain is essential. Discomfort is your body’s signal that something is amiss. Ignoring the problem will only make matters worse. 

What might be causing my toothache? 

Many things can cause or contribute to a toothache. Dental decay is among the most common sources of tooth pain. 

If decay has permeated the thin layer of enamel and moved closer to the central chamber of your tooth, where nerves are present, a toothache is likely. 

Here are some of the other dental issues that might be to blame for your toothache:

• Cracked tooth
• Gum disease
• Abscessed tooth
• Traumatic injury to the tooth or bone tissue
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Damaged dental restoration (crowns, fillings, bridgework)

The root cause of tooth pain isn’t always apparent, which is why it’s so important to rely on a trusted dental health team like R&J Dental for care. 

We have the experience, technology, and skills to quickly identify the cause of your tooth pain and get you started on a path toward relief. 

Is my toothache a dental emergency?

We consider it a dental emergency when your symptoms are so pronounced that waiting for a routine dental visit would be challenging. If your toothache makes it hard to focus on anything else, contact R&J Dental to explore an emergency dental visit.

Minimal tooth discomfort can often be diagnosed and treated during a routinely scheduled office visit. But be sure to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. Some dental issues can worsen quickly, complicating your treatment path and increasing the risk that your minor dental pain can worsen rapidly. 

If any of the following develop at the same time as a toothache, emergency dentistry is probably the best course of action:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Visibly red or swollen gums
• Sores on your gum tissue
• Visible pus 
• Bad breath
• Loose or knocked-out tooth

If you sustain dental damage during a car accident, sports injury, or other type of traumatic injury, you may require emergency medical treatment before moving forward with dental health needs. If you’re uncertain how to proceed, you can always call the office to share the details of your situation and receive guidance. 

You can access top-quality care when you entrust your dental health to the pros at R&J Dental. This includes emergency dentistry services that immediately address symptoms like toothache. 

You can always call the office to see if a same-day visit is an option or use the online scheduling tool to find a time that fits your busy life.