When Is Dental Crown Pain an Emergency?

Some Crown Pain Can Wait

If your new crown feels sensitive when you bite down or when you drink something don’t panic right away. Mild discomfort often goes away as the tooth and the surrounding tissue heal. Sometimes the crown just sits a little too high. You might feel a pain every time you chew because that tooth is taking too much pressure. Your dentist can check the bite. Make a small adjustment to fix it.

Watch How the Pain Changes

Pain that slowly gets better is usually not a worry.. Pain that keeps getting worse is something to pay attention to. Watch what happens over the day or two especially if the crown was placed recently.

A good rule of thumb is this: if the discomfort is mild and clearly improving you can call your dentist during office hours.. If the pain is getting worse or if you start having new symptoms don’t wait. Take action.

Signs You Should Call a Dentist Quickly

• A sudden increase in pain especially if regular pain medicine doesn’t help is something to get checked. Don’t just hope it goes away.

• Your crown hurts badly when you bite and the tooth still feels off afterward. A high crown is one possibility. The tooth underneath needs a proper look.

• Swelling around the tooth or gum especially if it keeps getting bigger needs attention. Infection is a concern here.

• A bad taste or drainage near the crown even if the pain isn’t bad shouldn’t be ignored.

When Crown Pain Becomes a True Emergency

Severe swelling is the red flag. If the swelling is spreading to your face or neck. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing get emergency medical care right away.

That’s not something you can wait for a dentist appointment. An infection that spreads to the jaw or neck can become fast. Waiting at home for your dentist to open is not safe.

What You Should Do Until You’re Seen

Keep the area clean but don’t brush hard. If chewing makes the pain worse use the side of your mouth for now. Eat foods if that feels better.

You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you and if you follow the label directions. Do not put aspirin directly on the gum because it can irritate the tissue.

The key is to look at the picture not just the pain level. A sore tooth that slowly improves is one thing. Severe pain with swelling is something altogether.

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