Facial swelling is no laughing matter, especially when it develops alongside a toothache or other dental symptoms. While many causes of facial swelling require prompt attention from a dentist, some situations can become medical emergencies. Knowing where to seek care can help you get the right treatment as quickly as possible.
When to See an Emergency Dentist
If your facial swelling appears to be related to a dental problem, an emergency dentist is often the appropriate place to start. A severe toothache accompanied by swelling may indicate a dental infection or abscess.
Other symptoms that can point to a dental cause include:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain.
- Swelling around the gums or jaw.
- A pimple-like bump on the gums.
- A bad taste or drainage in the mouth.
- Pain when biting or chewing.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold.
- A damaged or infected tooth.
How Will They Treat It?
An emergency dentist can identify the underlying dental problem and provide treatment. Depending on the cause, common treatments include draining an abscess, performing a root canal, treating the affected tooth, or extracting a tooth that cannot be saved.
Antibiotics may sometimes be prescribed when appropriate, but they don’t replace treatment that addresses the source of a dental infection.
Why Visit a Dentist Instead of the ER?
A swollen face can rattle even the coolest customer, and fear may cause you to automatically head towards the emergency room because of the serious nature of the problem. But that’s not always the wisest action.
If your puffy face is accompanied by the aforementioned symptoms or a very painful toothache, dentists are better educated and trained to get to the root of the problem and address it. If the swelling is indeed caused by a dental issue, the best an emergency room doctor could do is provide pain relievers or antibiotics. They’ll help for a while, but they won’t fix the underlying cause.
Is the ER Ever a Better Solution?
There are a few instances where an emergency room is the appropriate choice. For instance, if your swelling is due to a bite from a poisonous insect or a burn, a medical doctor is the right call.
If you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing or feel like your throat is swelling shut, that’s also cause to visit the ER rather than a dentist.
For facial swelling caused by a dental problem without signs of a medical emergency, contacting an emergency dentist promptly is generally appropriate. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly worsening swelling, or other signs of a potentially serious infection, seek emergency medical care immediately. Whatever the issue, don’t delay treatment!
About the Author
To own a dental office was always the dream of Dr. Haren Patel, so when he finally opened his practice in Woodstock, GA, he named it Dream Dental. His journey began as a dentist in India before moving to the U.S. and earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. Today, Dr. Haren is a member of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association. Call us immediately for emergency treatment at (770) 592-7000 or book a same-day appointment online.