Just like any type of pain, facial pain is a sign that something isn’t quite right. However, the issue at hand could be difficult to pinpoint on your own, especially if it is coming from within your mouth. You could be dealing with a dental emergency. There are a variety of ailments that could cause you facial discomfort. Continue reading to learn more about each one and what you should do next.
Dental Abscess
One of the most common reasons behind severe toothaches is dental abscesses. This is an infection of the inside of the teeth, known as the pulp. It can happen when bacteria enter the tooth from tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury. This may result in throbbing pain, tooth and gum sensitivity, swollen gums, foul taste in the mouth, fever, and facial pain. This condition will not go away on its own, so it requires an emergency dental visit.
Dry Socket
If you’ve recently had a tooth extracted and are experiencing radiating pain from the area, you could have dry socket. This painful condition is the result of a lack of a blood clot at the surgical site. The blood clot is necessary for healing, so if you think you might have dry socket, you should call your dentist right away.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)
The temporomandibular joint is the joint that allows you to open and close your mouth. When it isn’t functioning properly, you could experience pain or discomfort around your jaw, limited mobility of the jaw, clicking sounds when opening or closing your mouth, misaligned bite, headaches, earaches, and facial pain. This is something to bring up with your dentist during your next visit.
Headaches/Migraines
Headaches and migraines can be chronic or a one-off thing. They can also vary in the level of pain experienced. Some common symptoms include pain in the head or face, dizziness, altered visual perception, facial fatigue, and nausea.
Sinus Infection
Sinusitis is the swelling of the tissues in the hollow areas of your head. Since your sinuses are located by your cheeks, forehead, nose, and eyes, they can result in tooth pain. Some other symptoms include facial pain, pressure, runny nose, stuffed nose, fever, cough, and fatigue. For a sinus infection, drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated is important. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be helpful. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics depending on the severity and cause of the infection.
Facial pain is no fun. Seeing your dentist could be the solution depending on the issue, so schedule an emergency appointment if that is the case. The quicker the issue is addressed, the better.
About the Author
Dr. Ernie Costello is an experienced dentist serving patients in Arlington Heights. He earned his dental doctorate from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. He offers same-day emergency appointments at his practice. If you are experiencing facial pain due to a dental issue, he’d be happy to help. To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (847) 259-1111.