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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

873 Reviews

5.0

16th August 2025

It was the best experience l have had when attending a dentist. Nothing was rushed and l was listened to.

16th August 2025

Appointment was on time and I have been with this Practice for a number of years now and would not consider going anywhere else. It is fairly close to home, the Team are always helpful. friendly and efficient.

15th August 2025

The practise is professional and efficient but very friendly. I have complete trust and confidence in the professionals and greatly appreciate the care I receive.

15th August 2025

Excellent dental surgeon, efficient , effective careful and considerate with all round great communication

15th August 2025

Emergency booking for my son prior to a holiday… thank you so much for fitting him in and make the tooth removal so incredibly smooth and easy for him! Saved our holiday!!

14th August 2025

Friendly staff , makes you feel at ease .

14th August 2025

Staff always very friendly and polite. Level of service is exceptional as always.

14th August 2025

Rachel Norris is always excellent dentist. Amazingly patient and kind and gentle. Her assistant was lovely as well

14th August 2025

Overall excellent interaction.Cleanliness of facility.Pleasant team.

13th August 2025

There all polite, efficient and thorough.

13th August 2025

Efficient staff and attentive care.

13th August 2025

Excellent dentist, very gentle

8th August 2025

Friendly, professional, clean and modern.

8th August 2025

Used the surgery for years always polite and professional. Very helpful and caring.

7th August 2025

Everyone efficient and very friendly. Get the impression everyone enjoys working there. I have mobility problem and was able to be seen in a new downstairs surgery.

7th August 2025

I have been a patient there for many years and the service/treatment is, and has always been, first class

7th August 2025

my dentist and his assistant treat me like a freind i enjoy seeing them both ,they are proffessional clinitions and always perform with the best intrest in my oral health and how i am as a human being i couldnt be happier

7th August 2025

Everything good

6th August 2025

Everyone from the desk staff through to the Dental Surgeon was extremely helpful and where applicable, supportive.

6th August 2025

The dentist is a brilliant dentist

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