The Centers for Disease Control notes nearly 40 percent of all American adults have some kind of tooth pain each year. Because tooth pain is so common, many people think they can just treat it themselves, and it will go away. Sometimes that is the case, but not always. Here are some warning signs you can look for so you will know exactly when to call our dental office.
How Bad Is the Pain?
Pain is often a very good indicator of the seriousness of your toothache. If the pain is minimal and it is eased with an over-the-counter pain reliever, you can wait a couple of days before you call our office. It is possible you have a toothache because you bit down on something hard, or you may have clenched your teeth in the middle of the night. However, if your pain is severe or it lasts longer than a couple of days, you may have another problem. Severe pain means you need to call our office as soon as possible.
Do You Have a Fever?
Most people do not run a fever for a simple toothache. The exception to this rule is young babies who are teething because tooth eruptions in young children often cause a low-grade fever. If you are an adult with tooth pain and you are running a fever, you may have an infection. You need to give us a call for an appointment.
Can You Eat?
If you can chew food normally and you do not wince every time you bite down, your toothache may wait a day or so. However, if you are in pain every time you try and chew food, you could have a cavity that needs to be taken care of.
Swollen Cheek
Does your cheek look like you are chewing gum? If you have a noticeable bump or swollen area, it is time to give our office a call. You may have a serious issue going on rather than a simple toothache.
If you are concerned you may have an issue with your teeth, do not hesitate to give us a call. We are always willing to answer questions or concerns you might have.
The Centers for Disease Control notes nearly 40 percent of all American adults have some kind of tooth pain each year. Because tooth pain is so common, many people think they can just treat it themselves, and it will go away. Sometimes that is the case, but not always. Here are some warning signs you can look for so you will know exactly when to call our dental office.