Dentists Providing Emergency Care for Toothaches in Largo, FL

Some toothaches seemingly strike out of nowhere, while others gradually worsen over time. If you’re experiencing any type of oral discomfort, it’s best to see a dentist who can help you feel better and also prevent your condition from worsening.

With that said, how do you know if your toothache is a true emergency or whether it can wait for an appointment with a dentist at your earliest convenience? The dentists at Florida Dental Centers in Largo, Florida, can provide some helpful guidance on when to seek emergency dental care for toothaches.

Emergency Toothaches

You should see a dentist right away if you experience excruciating tooth pain that interferes with your ability to eat, sleep, or concentrate, or if you have:

• Persistent throbbing that radiates from your painful tooth through your jaw, neck, or ear
• Tooth pain that worsens with pressure from biting or chewing
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Swelling in your face or neck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever, facial skin warmth or redness, or other signs of infection

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if a permanent tooth is completely knocked out of your mouth, you should seek emergency dental care. You can always reach a dentist at Florida Dental Centers by calling our emergency telephone number.

Otherwise, if your tooth pain is tolerable and you do not have any emergency symptoms, you should see a dentist as soon as reasonably possible. Until then, you should brush and floss your teeth to remove any food particles that may be lodged in between them, which could be causing or contributing to your pain. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to help destroy bacteria and relieve inflammation. If necessary, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Preventing Toothaches & Other Dental Emergencies

Toothaches can develop no matter how careful you are. Even so, there are some proactive steps you can take to help prevent dental emergencies. These include brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing a dentist for periodic teeth cleanings and checkups, breaking bad habits such as biting your nails and chewing on ice, wearing a protective mouthguard while playing sports, and not eating foods that can damage your teeth, such as sticky candies and hard popcorn kernels.

The experienced dental professionals at Florida Dental Centers are always available to treat toothaches and other dental emergencies. Contact our office in Largo, FL, if you would like to see a dentist.