Severe toothache
Severe tooth pain is hard to ignore, especially at night or on a weekend. Tell us what's going on through our secure intake form, and our team takes care of finding an appropriate dental specialist.
What it is
A severe toothache is strong pain in or around a tooth that doesn't go away, or keeps coming back. A toothache can have more than one cause, and only a dental examination can find out what is behind it.
What people usually notice
- Pain in or around a tooth that persists.
- Pain that makes it hard to eat, sleep or get through the day.
- Sometimes swelling, redness in the gums or a fever, which can be signs of an infection (see abscess and swelling).
Why prompt care matters
The American Dental Association advises seeing a dentist as soon as possible for any dental emergency, and contacting a dentist when tooth pain persists. When pain comes from an infection, the ADA notes that without treatment it can spread to the jaw bone, teeth and surrounding tissues.
When to call 911
If you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly progressing facial or neck swelling, or another potentially life-threatening condition, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency department.
Do not wait for a call from our coordination team if your condition may require emergency medical intervention.
How we can help
Tell us what's going on
Begin by submitting your information through our secure and HIPAA compliant intake forms. Once your completed information and payment have been received, our team will begin reviewing your submission.
We call you
A trained representative will contact you within 90 minutes to:
- Confirm your information and discuss your emergency.
- Provide instructions regarding the next steps.
- Coordinate an appointment with an appropriate participating dental specialist.
- Communicate the appointment location, time, and any relevant instructions.
Our goal is to arrange an appointment with an appropriate dental specialist within 12 hours of your initial contact, subject to provider availability and the nature of your emergency.
Sources
General information only, not medical advice. Drawn from:
- Dental Emergencies, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
- Abscess, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)