3 Kinds of Dental Emergencies That Can Cause Facial Pain

Facial pain can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it might be nothing to worry about and will fade on its own. However, in other cases, it might be a side effect of a dental emergency that needs to be treated as soon as possible. It’s important to be able to recognize when the discomfort might be a warning sign of an urgent oral health problem. Here are 3 examples of dental emergencies that can be linked to facial pain.

1. Dry Socket

When a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms over the socket as part of the healing process. If this blood clot is dislodged (or fails to form at all), the result is a dry socket that leaves your bone tissue and nerves exposed to bacteria and other harmful external forces. Not only can dry sockets cause serious discomfort, but they can slow down your recovery time.

You can usually recognize a dry socket by persistent pain that occurs at the treatment site. Also, if you look at the socket in the mirror, you may be able to see the bone. If you believe you have a dry socket, you need to have it treated immediately to put a stop to your pain and get your recovery back on track.

2. Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that can form near your tooth. It’s generally the result of an infection that has gone untreated. When an abscess is left alone for too long, it can spread to other areas of your head, thus resulting in facial pain. In the worst-case scenario, a dental abscess can lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection.   

Some common symptoms of a dental abscess include persistent throbbing pain, sensitivity in the tooth, swollen gum tissue, a persistent bitter taste, and fever. It’s best to have the issue treated as soon as possible, especially if you have a weakened immune system that could make it easier for the infection to spread.

3. TMJ Disorder

A temporomandibular joint disorder – or TMJ disorder for short – is when there’s a problem with the joint that attaches your lower jaw to your skull. The exact cause isn’t always clear, but it’s often linked to grinding of the teeth, jaw injury, arthritis, and other factors.

TMJ disorder is closely associated with jaw pain as well as aching facial pain. It can also make it difficult to chew and limit the movement of your jaw. Your symptoms will likely grow worse the longer they go untreated, so don’t wait too long to call your dentist to see what treatment options are available.

About the Practice

At Bethel Dental Clinic, our dentists aim to deliver a truly satisfying care experience for all of our patients. We stay up to date with the latest treatments and technological advancements to keep bringing you trustworthy dentistry. If you have a dental emergency, we can schedule a same-day appointment for you so that you can find relief from the pain as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment at our Accra practice, visit our website.