Facial pain can be the result of numerous problems, including physical trauma, neurological disorders, and more. But did you know that it can also be the result of an oral health issue? This blog post explains what dental emergencies can cause facial pain and how you may be able to find relief.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms due to an infection. This issue can do more than cause a monstrous toothache; it can also cause pain in the jaw and face. If you notice a pimple-like bump on your gums along with your facial pain, it is very likely that you have an abscess! This is a true dental emergency that should receive treatment right away. Otherwise, the infection could spread and cause systemic illness.
Treating a dental abscess may include antibiotics, root canal therapy, or possibly even a tooth extraction.
Dry Socket
Dry socket is a complication that occurs following a tooth extraction. It develops when the blood clot at the extraction site gets prematurely dislodged or fails to form in the first place. Not only can it cause pain in the empty tooth socket, but it can cause radiating pain that affects nearby portions of the face.
To treat dry socket, a dentist may clean the area and apply a medicated dressing. Recovery time for dry socket is 7 – 10 days on average.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
Your temporomandibular joints are the joints that control movement of your lower jaw. When they get damaged or stressed, they can cause many symptoms, including jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, and more.
TMD symptoms might eventually disappear on their own, but they are likely to recur if you do not treat the root cause of the problem. For example, you might need a special mouthguard to prevent nighttime teeth grinding, or you may benefit from orthodontia to straighten your teeth and create a more harmonious bite.
Bruxism
Bruxism is also known as teeth grinding and clenching. It often happens during sleep, and it can cause widespread facial pain. While it is not an urgent emergency, it should be addressed in a timely manner. Otherwise, you could face significant dental damage.
The typical treatment for bruxism is a special mouthguard that places a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth.
Facial pain can indicate a serious dental problem! If you are experiencing this issue, call your dentist to get their professional opinion ASAP.
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Bloomfield, we strive to be ready whenever our patients need us, so we are often able to accept same-day emergency cases. If you are experiencing facial pain that may be related to a dental problem, we are ready to evaluate the situation. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our office at 860-263-0441.