The teeth are an integral part of the face, and dental health problems can sometimes lead to mild to severe facial pain. While discomfort in or around the mouth, jaw joints, nose, and eyes may sometimes be a sign of a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment, this is not always the case. Here’s a brief guide to how oral health problems can cause facial pain as well as a few signs that you need to see your emergency dentist.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is a common habit that can lead to serious oral health consequences. Some people do this absent-mindedly as a stress response and others do it involuntarily in their sleep, and the pressure it puts on the teeth can erode, chip, and crack dental enamel and gradually work the teeth and jaw joints out of alignment. This can cause nagging dental or jaw pain that may interfere with your daily life. Your dentist can address dental damage with restorative treatments like veneers and dental crowns and prevent further erosion with a customized nightguard.
Gum Disease
Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which is mild inflammation that can usually be fixed with improved oral hygiene. However, untreated gingivitis will develop into periodontitis, a severe and destructive infection that can painfully erode the gums and jawbones and cause permanent tooth loss. A dental abscess is another type of gum infection characterized by a protruding pocket of pus forming in the soft tissue supporting the tooth, and this can lead to severe pain. Your dentist will be able to address these issues with treatments like scaling and root planing and root canals. However, teeth that cannot be saved will have to be removed.
Dental Misalignments
Alignment issues like gaps, crowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites can improperly distribute the pressure of chewing across the teeth, which can put undue stress on the jaw joints. This can lead to issues like popping and clicking when speaking and chewing, jaw pain, and aches of the head, back, neck, and face. Your dentist may be able to address dental misalignments with orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
Don’t let treatable facial pain cause you constant discomfort and frustration. Seeing your emergency dentist when you need help can help you stay in excellent oral health for life.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal earned his dental degree at Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed an implant dentistry fellowship at New York University. His office in Nepean offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are concerned about facial pain, contact his office online or dial (613) 727-0990.