Facial pain can have quite a few different causes, such as physical trauma, neurological disorders, and more. In some cases, though, it is directly related to a dental emergency! What are some specific problems that may cause this symptom, and why should you seek prompt care from your dentist? This blog post explains.
Dental Abscesses
A dental abscess is a pocket filled with pus that develops due to an infection. This condition not only leads to severe tooth discomfort, but it can also cause pain in your jaw and face.
If you see a pimple-like bump on your gums that accompanies your facial pain, you likely have an abscess. This scenario calls for immediate dental care to prevent the infection from spreading and causing more serious health problems. Addressing a dental abscess may involve antibiotics, root canal therapy, or possibly the removal of the tooth.
Dry Socket
Dry socket is a complication that arises after a tooth extraction. It happens when the blood clot at the extraction site gets knocked out of place prematurely or fails to form in the first place. Besides causing pain in the empty tooth socket, it can lead to discomfort in nearby areas of your face. To manage dry socket, your dentist might clean the area and apply a medicated dressing. Typically, recovery from dry socket takes anywhere from a week to 10 days.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
Your temporomandibular joints control the movement of your lower jaw. When these joints become damaged or stressed, they can cause various symptoms, including jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, and more. Although TMD symptoms might resolve on their own, they are likely to recur if you do not address the underlying issue. Solutions may involve using a special mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding during sleep or undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth and achieve a more balanced bite.
Bruxism
Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, is another dental issue that can lead to facial pain. This condition often occurs unconsciously during sleep or periods of stress, exerting a lot of pressure on the muscles and joints that control the lower jaw. Over time, the constant grinding can result in muscle fatigue, inflammation, and even damage to the teeth and jaw joints, leading to persistent pain in the face, neck, and shoulders. Often, the best way to treat bruxism is with a custom sleep appliance from a dentist.
Facial pain might indicate a dental emergency! Do not hesitate to talk to your dentist about this concerning symptom.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group in Branford, our team is proud to provide a broad range of services to our community. We are often able to welcome emergency patients on a same-day basis, so do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are dealing with facial pain that you believe is related to an oral health problem. Contact our office at 203-439-6895.