Tooth pain can be confusing because the source is not always obvious. A painful tooth may need a filling, crown, root canal, extraction, gum treatment, bite adjustment, or urgent infection care.
If pain is severe, keeps you awake, comes with swelling, or makes it difficult to bite, it is time to call a dentist.
Common causes of emergency tooth pain
Dental pain often comes from decay reaching the nerve, a cracked tooth, an abscess, gum infection, a lost filling, a loose crown, or trauma. Some pain is sharp and temperature-related. Other pain is deep, throbbing, or pressure-sensitive.
The pattern of pain helps guide the diagnosis, but an exam and X-ray are usually needed.
When pain is urgent
Call promptly if you have facial swelling, fever, bad taste, trouble opening, pain that is worsening quickly, or a broken tooth with exposed inner tooth structure.
If swelling affects breathing, swallowing, or the floor of the mouth, seek emergency medical care.
What happens at the visit
At Astra Dental, the first goal is to identify the source of pain and explain the options. Some patients need same-day treatment. Others need medication, a planned follow-up, or referral depending on the diagnosis.
Patients with tooth pain in Stratford, Bridgeport, Milford, Trumbull, Shelton, and nearby areas can call Astra Dental for guidance and scheduling.