How do I know if my tooth pain is serious?

See your dentist as soon as possible if:
  1. You have a toothache that lasts longer than one or two days.
  2. Your toothache is severe.
  3. You have a fever, earache or pain when you open your mouth wide.
  4. You experience swelling in the mouth or face.
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What does a severe toothache feel like?

How It Feels. A throbbing toothache is very painful and frustrating to deal with. This type of pain can come on suddenly or gradually worsen from a sharp pain to throbbing pain. The throbbing sensation may seem limited to one or more teeth, or it may spread to your jaw or even the side of your face.
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How long can tooth pain go untreated?

If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications. However, once this has happened, death can occur quickly. Factors like older age, having diabetes, or being immunocompromised can increase your risk of complications from a dental abscess.
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Is severe tooth pain an emergency?

When Is a Toothache a Dental Emergency? If you have a toothache that lasts more than 1-2 days and is causing you a lot of pain or discomfort, you're having a dental emergency. This usually indicates an advanced cavity or an infected tooth. Without proper care, your condition will only get worse.
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What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading?

Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include:
  • fever.
  • swelling.
  • dehydration.
  • increased heart rate.
  • increased breathing rate.
  • stomach pain.
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How to Know If Your Tooth Pain Is an Emergency



How do I know if my tooth infection has spread to blood?

What Are The Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading to the Body?
  1. Feeling Unwell. The first thing you may notice is that you start to feel unwell. ...
  2. Fever. Fever is your body's natural defense against infection. ...
  3. Swelling. ...
  4. Increased Heart and Breathing Rate. ...
  5. Dehydration and Stomach Pain.
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How do you know if you need root canal?

What are the signs of needing a root canal?
  1. Severe pain while chewing or biting.
  2. Pimples on the gums.
  3. A chipped or cracked tooth.
  4. Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed.
  5. Swollen or tender gums.
  6. Deep decay or darkening of the gums.
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What does throbbing tooth pain mean?

Throbbing tooth pain is characterised by a pulsating feeling, similar to a heartbeat. The most common cause of throbbing pain in a tooth is early stage tooth decay. Tooth pain or toothache is one of the most common types of pain and may require dental treatment.
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When should I go to ER for toothache?

You SHOULD go to the emergency room if: You have swelling from a toothache that has spread to other parts of your face, especially your eye or below your jaw line. You have a toothache accompanied by a high fever (>101). You have bleeding that can't be controlled with pressure (more on this below).
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How should I lay down with a toothache?

Try sleeping with your head propped up on several pillows. Elevating your head higher than the rest of your body will prevent blood from pooling in your head and mouth. As a result, it improves circulation, decreases swelling, and alleviates some of the pain.
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Why is toothache worse at night?

Toothaches can be painful in the day, but they may seem to get worse at night. One reason that this may occur is because when a person is lying down, blood rushes to the head. This extra blood in the area may increase the pain and pressure that people feel from a toothache.
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Which tooth is connected to the heart?

Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, connect to the central nervous system, heart, liver, and intestines. They can also signal high blood pressure, eczema, headache, liver disease, pain in the extremities, and cardiovascular disease.
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How do you stop severe tooth pain?

Home Remedies for Toothache
  1. Apply a cold compress. In general, there are two ways to stop or blunt toothache pain. ...
  2. Take an anti-inflammatory. ...
  3. Rinse with salt water. ...
  4. Use a hot pack. ...
  5. Try acupressure. ...
  6. Use peppermint tea bags. ...
  7. Try garlic. ...
  8. Rinse with a guava mouthwash.
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What does nerve pain in tooth feel like?

Tooth nerve pain can feel severe like a sharp, stabbing pain or as little as a dull ache. If your tooth nerve is exposed, particular foods and drinks will probably trigger the pain. Pain in an exposed tooth nerve can be triggered by foods and drinks that are hot or cold, sugary, acidic, or sour.
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Can't tell where tooth pain is coming from?

If you're feeling a severe and continuing pain from one particular area of your teeth (even if you can't tell exactly which one), this could mean the pulp, the tooth's innermost layer, has become infected with decay. The pain is emanating from nerves within the pulp coming under attack from the decay.
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Can a dentist pull an infected tooth?

Will a dentist pull an infected tooth? Yes, dentists routinely do pull infected teeth. They do this all of the time.
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What does a tooth abscess look and feel like?

Signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess include: Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache that can radiate to the jawbone, neck or ear. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting.
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What will ER do for tooth infection?

Dental Treatment in the Emergency Room

In the case of bacterial infections, they can provide antibiotics and will arrange for transfer to the hospital if necessary. They can also treat broken, dislodged, or fractured teeth and help to control severe pain.
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What is an example of a dental emergency?

Virtually any dental pain that the patient is preoccupied with can be defined as a dental emergency. A broken tooth, infected gums, or extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures could qualify as an emergency.
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What does a root canal infection feel like?

Root canal infections cause a foul taste in your mouth from the abscessed tissue, as well as pain. Tender teeth and gums. Root canal infections can cause severe pain to sensitive areas of the mouth, such as the gums and root surfaces of the teeth. Swollen glands or face pain.
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Why does throbbing tooth pain come and go?

Throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes can indicate tooth damage. A toothache can also be due to cavity or tooth decay. A person is also likely to experience throbbing tooth pain in the presence of tooth infection or inflammation, called pulpitis.
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Do they put you to sleep for a root canal?

There are two types of sedation to help people feel at ease during their root canal procedure. During conscious sedation, the patient remains awake. During unconscious sedation, the patient is put to sleep.
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Should I get root canal or extraction?

In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
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What does a tooth that needs a root canal feel like?

Sensitivity to Heat and Cold

If you feel pain in your tooth while you're drinking or eating something hot or cold you might need a root canal. The sensitivity can manifest itself as a sharp pain or a dull ache, and if you can feel it for a longer period of time, even after you finish drinking or earing.
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Can a tooth infection make you feel ill?

If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
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