Facial Pain? 4 Dental Emergencies that Might Be the Cause

Many people who experience facial pain expect it to fade eventually. Whether it is located in the forehead or cheeks, this discomfort may indicate that you need emergency dental care. Several oral health issues could be the culprit, and you’ll want to address these facial pain causes before they worsen.

Dental Emergencies that Result in Facial Pain

Some facial discomfort may be caused by a headache or a minor injury that will resolve itself. Other facial pain is a sign of a dental emergency.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is an infection of the innermost layer of your tooth — the pulp. Sometimes bacteria travel to the nerve because of untreated decay, gum disease, or an injury.

You may have a dental abscess if you experience the following symptoms:

• Persistent, throbbing pain when you chew
• Sensitivity in your tooth or gums
• Red, swollen gum tissue
• Bad taste in your mouth
• Fever

These symptoms qualify your facial pain as a dental emergency requiring urgent care. You must schedule a visit to an emergency dental office to relieve your dental pain.

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw and skull. The lower jaw is the only part of your skull that moves, and the TMJ makes this happen. When it is injured or not working correctly, it causes uncomfortable side effects ranging from facial pain to difficulty chewing.

Other symptoms include:

• Neck and back aches
• Limited jaw movement
• Clicking sounds when opening or closing your mouth
• Misaligned bite

Sometimes these symptoms resolve themselves, but having a dentist evaluate your condition and recommend TMJ therapy as needed is always better. They’ll identify any potential underlying issues to prevent symptoms from returning.

Dry Socket

A dry socket is a condition that can occur after a tooth extraction due to the blood not clotting correctly or the clot becoming dislodged. The bone and nerves become exposed without a clot, causing pain throughout the side of your face.

Symptoms of a dry socket include:

• Persistent pain after an extraction
• No development of a blood clot or loss of a clot
• Foul breath

Dry socket dental emergencies most commonly occur after wisdom teeth removal but can happen in any extraction site.

Salivary Gland Infection

You have several salivary glands in your mouth. Although it’s rare, they can become infected. The parotid in front of the ear and the submandibular beneath the chin are the two most commonly affected glands.

A salivary gland infection may cause pain in one side of the face and include the following symptoms:

• Swelling
• Flushed skin
• Pus draining into the mouth
• Fever and chills

Patients with a chronic dry mouth or a blocked salivary gland are more likely to be affected by a salivary gland infection.

Your discomfort could also be caused by decreased saliva production or a sinus infection. Your dentist may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor for additional treatment.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Care

You should never ignore severe, worsening, or ongoing discomfort. Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist like Pinnacle Dentistry at the first sign of facial pain. Contact our office to schedule your urgent care dental appointment and get facial and dental pain relief.