Emergency Dentistry and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease: Is Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?

Thinking you are in need of emergency dentistry and the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease is forcing you to stay home? Many people who are in need of dental care wonder what they need to do, as the current COVID-19 crisis has temporarily changed all the rules. One of the more common reasons that someone would be in need of emergency dental services is because they are experiencing tooth pain.

When someone experiences dental pain, is it an emergency?

Understanding what falls under emergency dentistry services during the COVID-19 crisis is something everyone needs to do. It is important to know when dental pain requires a trip to an emergency dental office. According to the American Dental Association, only concentrating on emergency and urgent dental care during this period will allow dentists and their teams to care for emergency patients and reduce the burden that dental emergencies would place on hospital emergency departments.

Common types of tooth pain

Minor tooth pain that tends to subside within 24 hours is often not considered to be a dental emergency, while ongoing or severe pain need to be treated by an emergency dentist. The list below includes common reasons that someone would experience a level of tooth pain that requires emergency dental care.

A broken tooth

While not every broken tooth situation is painful, most people will experience some degree of pain when they experience a broken tooth. A minor chip in a tooth can often wait to be treated by a dental professional, while any type of crack or fracture in a tooth is a dental emergency. According to Healthline, if left untreated, a broken tooth can collect bacteria, risking infection or abscess.

Swelling

Many times those who experience any type of swelling in their mouth or along their jawline do not know the reason for the swelling, which may include various levels of pain. One of the more common reasons is due to having a gum or tooth infection, which can potentially lead to a more severe mouth infection. Since mouth infections do not go away on their own, it is essential for anyone who is experiencing swelling accompanied by pain to seek emergency dental care.

A toothache

When someone experiences a toothache, they may experience minor pain or severe pain, it just depends on their particular situation. Because a toothache can be an indicator of a bigger dental problem, those who are experiencing any swelling, sharp pain, pain that includes pressure or an overall bad taste in their mouth, it is time to make an appointment with an emergency dentist.

Emergency dentistry and the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease: Dealing with tooth pain

When it comes to emergency dentistry and the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, the fact that emergency dentistry services are available during this time means that anyone who is living with dental pain can feel confident that they will receive the treatment they need. Whether you are experiencing one of the above more common types of tooth problems that cause dental pain or are experiencing dental-related pain for another reason, reaching out for help is your next step.

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