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

613 Reviews

5.0

5th December 2024

I have been with Hadleigh Dental Surgery for many years. I find the service to be highly professional. The hygienist is very effective and Mr Wilson is clearly a very skilled dentist.

5th December 2024

Very professional dentist Very considerate and patient and explains what he is going to do and why

5th December 2024

Good service

NK

Nigel Kerridge

Great Dental Surgery

4th December 2024

Expertise, cleanliness, facilities, Quality of staff, Very friendly, Parking, On time appointment.

4th December 2024

As always a very proffesional set up have been coming for years and would highly recommend the dental practice to any one I always feel so safe knowing I am in very capable safe hands can not speak highly enough of the team ,always a very warm professional friendly welcome .and I must say the Practice is so modern and spotlessly clean would recommend to any one seeking first class dental treatment in a 5 star ⭐ environment.Always have every thing is explained by Dr Sing what is happening treatment is always first class in every way very satisfied patient of many years. Always made to feel relaxed and well taken care off .10/10Graham Keeble

4th December 2024

Friendly staff, caring and efficient.

4th December 2024

most professional and friendly

4th December 2024

The care and knowledge of everyone at the practice is outstanding. Staff are always friendly and welcoming.

4th December 2024

Clean environment. Professional attitude from all staff. Local to the town centre. Comfortable waiting room. Parking available nearby. Appointment times kept to. Costs of all treatments visible in waiting room. Various expert dentists available if particular treatments required. Staff wear uniforms so that you know who to approach.

2nd December 2024

Up dated premises; seemingly up to date knowledge and treatment procedures. I am satisfied.

MS

Michele Seamark

I can’t recommend Dr Singh and his team highly enough. I have been seeing them for the best part of 10 years now and have had various treatments over the years. They are not only experts, but they genuinely do care.

28th November 2024

Staff are always polite and friendly. Mr Singh is kind, considerate of my needs and gentle during treatments. He was also extremely patient with my son when he was young and a bit anxious about the dentist.

28th November 2024

Gurps and the whole team are brilliant! Wouldn’t trust anyone else with dental care. They are the best

28th November 2024

Superb service highly recommended

28th November 2024

Polite clean helpful bothered about you as a patient

28th November 2024

Prompt professional service received. Mr Wilson clearly is very skilled and experienced and advice for the future based on X-ray and other evidence is extremely valuable. Anticipation of future problems is very helpful and can be preempted.

27th November 2024

Easy to book and very professional treatment

27th November 2024

Kind and thoughtful dentist- polite and welcoming from all staff

24th November 2024

Friendly, informed staff

Prev Previous
Next Next