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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

805 Reviews

5.0

30th June 2025

Staff were polite and curteous. The proceedure was fully explained and any concerns I had were listened to and and looked at thoroughly.

28th June 2025

I have been using the dental surgery for quite a few years now always excellent service.

26th June 2025

I was a bit apprehensive but both dentist and dental nurse explained the appointment process very well and calmly. putting me at ease.

26th June 2025

I was referred by my dentist regarding two back teeth. These were extracted and after discussions I decided to have 1 implant which was completed on 23rd June. I will now return to my original dentist but would have no hesitation to return if the need arose. The service and quality was very satisfactory.

25th June 2025

Recently had a crown fitted but had Pain after procedure Hygenist emailed dentist who came to check crown and offered remedy which was applied

25th June 2025

Seeing same dentist each time get called by Christian name

19th June 2025

I have had very bad experiences at dental surgeries in the past.Mr Wilson and his team always make me feel at ease, explain everything well and empathise with my anxieties. Very happy to put my trust in him.

19th June 2025

All the staff, receptionists, dental nurses, dentists, treatment me with respect and politeness. All treatments fully explained and discussed.I feel very lucky that I can afford to pay for this excellent service, unlike many people.

18th June 2025

Staff are pleasant, welcoming and professional. Attended for routine hygienist appointment and was satisfied with the attention received and end result.

18th June 2025

Very good in all ways. Was made to feel very comfortable.

17th June 2025

Every one was very polite and the dentist was really good with my daughter making sure she was calm and happy.

17th June 2025

The positive attitude of the staff and the explanations given by t’he dentist during the session to enable me to understand the treatment being performed.p

13th June 2025

Mr Wilson has known and treated me for more many years and therefore knows my teeth and strange bitte. I have been treated by this practice since moving to Hadleigh in 1984!All staff, inlcuding the dental nurse polite and respectful.

13th June 2025

I was treated with total respect as I always am.

12th June 2025

Always made welcome and always made me feel very relaxed having some music playing makes a difference

11th June 2025

Professional friendly make you feel welcome That you’re important to themRemember you and things you’ve chatted about in past appointments

10th June 2025

Everybody is kind, polite and friendly. I’m disabled and the staff were only to willing to help (luckily I didn’t need any).I have been a patient since 1986 and would never go anywhere else.

7th June 2025

Polite efficient professional caring service

7th June 2025

Reassuring and professional

6th June 2025

It takes me an hour to get to Hadleighand I wouldn’t be doing that were it notfor Rachel’s expertise over the last 20 years.Not that I get to see her under all the masks.Surely it’s time things went back to normal!!

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