Providing actionable steps for patients experiencing sudden tooth pain or swelling, and how emergency endodontic care can relieve symptoms and prevent tooth loss.
Endodontic Emergencies: What to Do When You’re in Pain?
Sudden tooth pain, swelling, or sensitivity can signal a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. If left untreated, these issues can escalate quickly, leading to serious complications like infections or even tooth loss. At Nuffield Dental, we understand the urgency of these situations and provide emergency endodontic care to relieve pain and protect your oral health.
What Causes Endodontic Emergencies?
Endodontic emergencies are typically caused by issues related to the tooth’s pulp (the innermost part of the tooth) or the surrounding tissue. Common causes include:
- Severe Tooth Decay: Untreated cavities can penetrate deep into the tooth, reaching the pulp and causing infection.
- Dental Trauma: Accidents that crack or chip teeth can expose the pulp to bacteria, leading to pain and infection.
- Abscesses: An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, often resulting in swelling, pain, and sensitivity around the tooth or gum.
- Failed Root Canal Treatment: If a previous root canal didn’t resolve the infection, the pain and symptoms can return, requiring urgent retreatment.
What to Do When You’re in Pain
If you’re experiencing sudden, sharp, or throbbing tooth pain, follow these steps:
- Contact Your Dentist or Endodontist Immediately: Dental pain often won’t go away on its own, and waiting can worsen the issue. Call our clinic as soon as you notice symptoms like severe pain, swelling, or sensitivity to temperature.
- Rinse with Saltwater: Until you can see a dentist, rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can help reduce inflammation and cleanse the area.
- Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help manage pain temporarily, but they don’t treat the underlying issue. You’ll still need to seek professional care.
- Avoid Chewing on the Affected Side: To prevent further damage, avoid using the tooth that’s causing pain.
How Emergency Endodontic Care Can Help
Emergency endodontic care aims to quickly identify the source of the pain and provide treatment to relieve symptoms. Procedures such as root canal treatment or endodontic surgery can remove infected tissue, reduce swelling, and save the tooth from extraction.
If you’re in pain, don’t wait. Contact Dr. Irene Sim at Nuffield Dental for immediate evaluation and treatment to protect your oral health and alleviate your discomfort.
