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Looking for a caring and professional dental practice? We’re excited to welcome new patients to our clinic! Whether you’re due for a check-up, need treatment, or are looking to enhance your smile, our friendly team is here to help.
Contact us today to book your first appointment—we look forward to meeting you!

Toothache

A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth. Minor toothaches can come from a temporary gum irritation which may be treated at home. More serious toothaches are caused by dental and mouth problems that are more difficult and will need to be treated by a dentist.

Possible causes of toothache can include:

  • Tooth decay
  • Abscessed tooth
  • A cracked or damaged tooth
  • A loose or broken filling
  • An infection – this often happens when a tooth (such as a wisdom tooth) has broken the skin, but does not have enough room to fully come through
  • Problems with your braces
  • Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth
  • Infected gums

Symptoms of a toothache may include:

  • Tooth pain that may be sharp, throbbing, or constant. In some people, pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth.
  • Swelling around the tooth
  • Fever or headache
  • Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

When should I see a dentist about a toothache?

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:

  • You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days
  • Your toothache is severe
  • You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide

As with any teeth problems, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms it's important to book an appointment at Hadleigh Dental Surgery to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your Hadleigh Dental Surgery dentist will need to examine you, and possibly take x-rays, in order to identify the cause of your toothache. Once this has been identified, they will conduct any temporary treatment to relieve your pain and advise if further treatment is required to address the underlying issue.

Possible treatments may include:

  • If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or take the tooth out, if necessary.
  • A root canal (a procedure to remove and replace infected pulp with sealing material) may be needed if the cause of the toothache is an infection of the tooth's nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner space of the root of the tooth cause infection.
  • An antibiotic may be prescribed if there is fever or swelling of the jaw.
  • A small piece of food (like a popcorn hull) can get stuck under the gums causing an infection. In this instance, a deep cleaning may be performed or recommended followed by further periodontal (gum) therapy if necessary.

Preventing toothache

Since most toothaches are the result of tooth decay, following good oral hygiene practices can prevent toothaches. Good oral hygiene practices consist of brushing regularly with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing once daily, rinsing once or twice a day with an antiseptic mouthwash, and seeing your Hadleigh Dental Surgery dentist regularly for professional cleaning and reviews. In addition to these practices, eat foods low in sugar and ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride applications.

How do I treat a toothache at home?

For temporary relief of a toothache, the following can be followed at home:

  • Avoid extremes of temperature, such as hot drinks or very cold foods like ice cream
  • Avoid sugary or acidic foods, especially sweets or fizzy drinks, even diet ones, as these can aggravate the pain
  • Eat soft foods, like yoghurt or scrambled eggs, and try to avoid chewing with the sore tooth
  • Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol
  • Use an over-the-counter anaesthetic gel, for example Orajel, which you can buy in a pharmacy, to help relieve the pain
  • Continue to brush and floss your teeth as thoroughly as possible, and rub toothpaste directly onto the sore tooth or area
  • Rinse with warm saltwater. Salt water can loosen debris between your teeth, act as a disinfectant and reduce inflammation. Stir a ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
  • Use mouthwash suitable for gum problems, such as Corsodyl or Peroxyl, from your local pharmacy
  • Massage the gum around the tooth to help ease pain
  • Use cloves or cotton wool to place clove oil over the painful tooth or area of the mouth. You can buy cloves in supermarkets
  • Keep your head elevated at night. Lying down can increase blood pressure in the tooth and cause pain
  • Keep the area cold by using a cool pack or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Apply this to your cheek. Don’t apply ice directly to the tooth as this can increase pain and damage the tissue

If you have any toothache of discomfort, contact Hadleigh Dental Surgery in Hadleigh as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01473 823092.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Hadleigh Dental Surgery. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

733 Reviews

5.0

23rd April 2025

Friendly , efficient service and treatment from all staff both clinical and clerical.

22nd April 2025

The atmosphere is professional but relaxed. Everything is explained or discussed in a clear way and I always feel that I know what is happening with my teeth.

21st April 2025

Efficient and courteous

17th April 2025

The hygienist was professional, friendly and very efficient.

16th April 2025

Friendly staff, very clean, hygienist was very nice and listened to my concerns. Didn't have to wait very long for my appointment

9th April 2025

I have been a patient for many years and my experience at the surgery has always been excellent. I have no reason to not be anything other than highly satisfied.

8th April 2025

Professional service, friendly staff and very clean surroundings

5th April 2025

Very experienced and friendly staff. Very clearly explained options and always happy to answer all questions or concerns.

4th April 2025

Fantastic staff, good prices, I feel very looked after when I visit. Lovely and clean.

3rd April 2025

Professional staff. Courteous and calm.

3rd April 2025

I rang on Monday, explained my problem and that I was away but back on Wednesday . Within an hour the reception team rang offering appointment on Wednesday .

3rd April 2025

Great staff with time to listen. Receptionist was very pleasant, I was well received and shown where to wait (I hadn’t seen the hygienist before). My treatment was thorough and well explained. I would highly recommend the surgery

3rd April 2025

Professional, friendly and great services.

3rd April 2025

All concerned were very helpful, being a long standing patient made even more so

2nd April 2025

Mr Wilson is professional and efficient

2nd April 2025

Always highly satisfied with Mr. Wilson.

29th March 2025

The whole appointment was dealt with ease.

28th March 2025

It was lovely to see an existing member of staff on reception as I hadn’t been for many years but she soon put me at ease and made me welcome.The dentist and dental nurse soon reassured me as I said I was a nervous patient but every thing he did was explained to me thoroughly and I had the opportunity to say if I was happy with the treatment plan.

28th March 2025

Everyone was polite , friendly in all departments. The place is clean and welcoming. Everything was explained and easily understood. Very satisfied.

27th March 2025

Always kind and professionalKnows I hate dental treatment and Dentist is considerate of that

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