Just like almost any type of discomfort, pain in the face is a sign that something isn’t right. However, the issue at hand could be difficult to pinpoint on your own – especially if it is coming from somewhere in your mouth. You could be dealing with a dental emergency. There are a variety of ailments that could cause you facial discomfort. Read on 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 might 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 have 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 might 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 visit. The quicker the issue is addressed, the better.
About the Practice
At Baldwin Family Dental, Dr. A. Faris Waheed and Dr. Amanda M. Panousis, and Dr. Case work together to treat patients in the Panama City community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (850) 215-0128.