A toothache is unlike most other sources of pain that we experience in daily life. If you’ve sprained an ankle, pulled a muscle, twisted your back or any of the other small issues that we deal with (and get worse with age apparently), sometimes we can just avoid that movement, or put weight on the leg or try other things to temporarily remove the pain.
But tooth pain can be all pervasive: It prevents you focusing, sleeping, and it hurts when you drink or eat. It disrupts life. Which is why when it happens to you, what you really need is a fast way to find relief from the problem.
That leaves you with a few options, but if things really do become unbearable, can you go to the ER for tooth pain? Yes, you can. However, an emergency room in a hospital is unlikely to be able to treat the majority of toothaches unless it is affecting your overall health. They usually don’t have the necessary equipment.
Go to the ER if you are experiencing any of the following:
- If you are experiencing high temperatures over 101 degrees in addition to your toothache.
- If your face is swelling from toothache, especially around the eye or below the jawline.
- You are beginning to have trouble swallowing.
- You are struggling to breathe.
- You have taken antibiotics for 24 hours and the problem is getting worse.
- Your dental issues are the result of facial trauma.
- Any issue where you feel your greater health is imminently in danger.
And if you compare wait times at an emergency dental office appointment, it can really affect your decision where to go.
If you have tooth pain without these more severe symptoms, you can still get help. Here are some alternatives to the emergency room.
The Best Thing to Do If You Have a Toothache
If you have dental pain issues, then the best course of action is to call your dentist immediately. Not only can they see you quickly, you will usually be able to get an appointment within 24 hours of contacting them, but as a dental specialist, they can offer a more comprehensive solution.
The emergency dentist will prioritize pain relief, and will avoid tooth extraction if there are alternatives. If the problem requires additional treatment, such as a tooth extraction, a dental implant, or a root canal etc., then you can have that taken care of for you at the dental office.
The other benefit of talking to an emergency dentist is that they can often provide some immediate help over the phone for your pain, advising on over the counter painkillers or antibiotics that will help until you get to your emergency dentist appointment and any other things you can do to help reduce the suffering.
Toothache Remedies
Most over the counter pain relievers can help reduce pain in the short term, enough to help you manage until you can attend an emergency dentist appointment. It is important to seek that help though, and not simply rely on painkillers as a permanent solution, because with the underlying dental issue still there you can end up with more severe problems by leaving it untreated.
Sometimes, the dental problem you have can be made worse by food residue trapped near an exposed nerve or other sensitive area. Brushing your teeth, or rinsing your mouth with salt water can help remove it an ease pain until you can get treatment as well.
Finally, an ice pack to the area can numb the pain, this is especially useful at night, and help you get some rest if you are having to wait overnight to see an emergency dentist.
It’s Best to Call a Dental Clinic First
The best way to deal with your dental emergency in Mississauga is to make an appointment right away. However, if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms that may signify a more serious problem and you feel as though you are in much more danger, then a visit to the emergency room is worthwhile.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks