Facial pain can be alarming, especially when you’re not sure what’s causing it. While jaw or facial discomfort can sometimes be related to sinus issues, muscle tension, or even headaches, it’s also a common sign of a dental emergency. When oral health problems go untreated, they can radiate pain throughout the face, making it difficult to chew, speak, or even rest comfortably. If you’re unsure whether your pain requires urgent dental care, understanding the possible causes can help you take the right next steps.
Severe Tooth Infection or Abscess
One of the most common dental emergencies linked to facial pain is a tooth infection or abscess. When bacteria enter the inner pulp of a tooth, the surrounding tissue can become swollen and inflamed. This pressure can radiate through the jaw and face, sometimes causing swelling, fever, or a bad taste in the mouth. An abscess is a serious condition that will not heal on its own and requires immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If a wisdom tooth can’t fully emerge through the gums, it can become trapped—or impacted—beneath the surface. Impacted wisdom teeth often cause significant facial or jaw pain, swelling, and tenderness. They can also lead to gum infections as bacteria collect around the partially erupted tooth. Left untreated, this discomfort can worsen and may affect nearby teeth.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth can expose sensitive inner layers of the tooth, leading to sharp pain that radiates throughout the face. Even small fractures can cause big discomfort, especially when biting down or exposing the tooth to temperature changes. If the crack reaches the root or pulp, the resulting pain may feel intense and constant.
Gum Infection (Periodontal Abscess)
Not all abscesses occur inside a tooth—some form in the gums. A periodontal abscess develops when bacteria become trapped between the gum tissue and tooth. This can cause severe, throbbing pain in the gums, jaw, and face, as well as swelling or redness near the affected area. Like other infections, a gum abscess requires prompt treatment to prevent complications.
TMJ Issues and Jaw Injury
Sometimes facial pain is connected to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Grinding your teeth, jaw misalignment, or trauma can strain this joint, causing pain that spreads across the jaw, cheeks, temples, or ears. While TMJ discomfort isn’t always a dental emergency, sudden or severe jaw pain after an injury should be evaluated by a professional as soon as possible.
Sinus Pressure from Dental Problems
Upper tooth infections sometimes cause pain that feels like sinus pressure, and sinus infections can occasionally produce discomfort that mimics dental pain. If the source isn’t obvious, a dentist can help determine whether your teeth or sinuses are responsible and guide you toward the right treatment.
When to See a Dentist
Facial pain should never be ignored—especially if it comes on suddenly, worsens over time, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, difficulty opening your mouth, or persistent tooth pain. Dental emergencies tend to escalate quickly, and prompt care can prevent complications while providing much-needed relief.
A quick visit to your dentist can help pinpoint the cause of your discomfort and get you on the path to feeling better.
About the Practice
At Waterford Dental Group, patients receive prompt and compassionate emergency care to relieve pain and protect long-term oral health. Our experienced team is here to diagnose and treat the full range of dental emergencies, helping patients get back to comfort quickly.
Call us at (925) 803-5888 or request an appointment online.