Are you experiencing facial pain that you feel could be a sign of a bigger problem? Not only can this affect your day-to-day life by making you live in discomfort, but if it’s a result of an underlying oral health problem, not receiving timely treatment could cause it to become worse. Read on to learn four oral health problems that can cause facial pain and whether they require emergency dental treatment.
Tooth Infections
Tooth infections, also referred to as dental abscesses, are known for causing painful toothaches and sensitivity when you bite down or chew. They typically develop due to untreated decay, compromised restorations, or dental damage that affects the protective enamel of a tooth, providing harmful oral bacteria access to the more vulnerable inner structures.
When bacteria are able to penetrate the inner chamber of a tooth, they can attack the pulp, which is a collection of soft tissue and nerves, causing severe facial and tooth pain. This issue requires immediate emergency treatment to keep it from spreading.
Dry Socket
Dry socket is closely associated with wisdom tooth extractions. After your extraction, a blood clot will form in the pocket of where your tooth was, allowing the soft tissues to heal. If the blood clot dislodges or dissolves before the tissues have healed, it can result in facial pain and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
While a certain amount of discomfort post-operation is typical, if it becomes unmanageable and gets worse with time, it’s crucial to contact your dentist immediately.
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, which is the nightly grinding and clenching of teeth, can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including facial pain and headaches, neck tension, jaw tightness, and lockjaw. The constant, nightly tension and force placed on your jaw joints can lead to daily discomfort that can impact your life. To stop bruxism from leading to worsening facial pain, you can receive a customized nightguard that cushions your facial muscles and teeth from routine grinding.
Bite Misalignment
A common cause of nightly grinding besides stress is bite misalignment, including overbite, underbite, and crossbite. This can place additional force on your facial muscles every time you chew, causing strain and pain. The best way to address this issue is with orthodontic treatment, like clear aligners.
Instead of accepting your facial pain as a part of your daily life, seek help from your trusted dentist and emergency dentist. They offer personalized, pain-relieving treatments that can help you regain control of your life again.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Sue has over 40 years of experience in the dental field and has completed countless advanced training courses and seminars over those years. He enjoys helping patients who are in pain find immediate relief with trusted, high-quality emergency treatment. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Glendale Dental Wellness Center’s website or call 818-873-5107.