When Facial Pain Strikes: How to Know It’s a Dental Emergency

Whether it is from physical trauma, neurological disorders, or something else, facial pain is a common symptom that can be unpleasant. But did you know that facial pain can be the result of an oral health issue? In some cases, it can even be a dental emergency! Read on to discover what problems cause facial pain and why you should call your emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Bruxism

Also known as teeth grinding or clenching, bruxism can cause facial pain and discomfort. It can occur subconsciously, whether you’re awake or asleep. Bruxism places a significant amount of stress on the muscles and joints that control the lower jaw. You may experience facial pain, sore jaw muscles, and even discomfort while eating. Over time, it can lead to tooth erosion and loose or cracked teeth.

While bruxism isn’t an urgent emergency, you should still seek treatment sooner rather than later. Your dentist can fit you with a nightguard that helps protect your teeth during sleep.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that is caused by a tooth infection. This condition can cause pain radiating from the tooth to your jawbone, neck, or ear. You may even have some tooth sensitivity.

If a pimple-like bump appears on your gums along with facial pain, it could be a sign of an abscess. These are dental emergencies because, unlike other infections, they cannot go away on their own. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding areas and cause serious health problems.

Dry Socket

If you have undergone a tooth extraction, a common complication is dry socket. This issue occurs when the blood clot protecting the empty socket is dissolved or dislodged before it’s fully healed. The nerves in the socket become exposed, causing facial pain. Your emergency dentist can help relieve the pain by cleaning the socket and applying a medicated dressing in place of the lost blood clot.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

You have two temporomandibular joints, one on each side of your face. They help control the movement of your lower jaw, and when they become damaged or stressed, it can lead to TMD. You may experience symptoms such as facial pain, jaw popping or clicking, and difficulty opening or closing your mouth.

TMD symptoms may subside on their own, but it doesn’t mean the underlying issue is resolved. Some causes of TMD include bruxism or malocclusion (when your teeth aren’t aligned properly). Visiting your emergency dentist can help you find long-term relief, such as a nightguard or another type of treatment, like braces or clear aligners.

Facial pain could be a sign of a dental emergency! Don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist as soon as you can if you’re dealing with this unpleasant symptom.

About the Practice

At Anderson Dental Center, we have a team of dentists and specialists who are proud to serve happy smiles. We offer emergency dentistry, among other services, to ensure your teeth can get the treatment they need. We even have same-day emergency appointments as well as evening and Saturday hours. If you think you have facial pain related to an oral health issue, schedule an appointment or call us at (201) 546-7435.