Ignoring dental pain — whether sudden or ongoing — is never recommended. Delaying treatment can lead to worsening damage, affecting not only your oral health but also your overall well-being, and may result in more complex and costly procedures later on.

However, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether a problem can wait or needs immediate attention. As a general guide, severe, persistent pain or bleeding should always be treated as a dental emergency and checked as soon as possible.