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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 Oakmead Dental Care to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your Oakmead Dental Care 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 Oakmead Dental Care 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 or discomfort, contact Oakmead Dental Care in East Grinstead as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01342 325363.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Oakmead Dental Care. 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…

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Patient reviews

1003 Reviews

5.0

21st January 2025

I have been at this fantastic practice for about 20 years . I have a fear of dentists from childhood treatment ,and this clinic ….I.e Andy Hopkins and his team turned that around through their listening ,understanding and sheer professionalism. They have the very latest , most advanced equipment and the skill of Andrew Hopkins is simply amazing . He is so talented , and so skilled being both gentle ,thorough and experienced whilst using the the most advanced technology .They run a super ,caring team who work well together from the reception team through to the hygienists and nurses . Andy is consistently excellent and really looks after staff ,patients and the practice . I do not think there are many dental practices as marvellous as Oakmead .They also look at costs ,and I know dentistry is expensive ,but Oakmead do not overcharge and honestly the treatment one receives is worth every penny .

21st January 2025

All the staff were very pleasant and helpful. The premises were well appointed and hygienic. The treatment was pain free, took less time than estimated and was well worth the cost. I shall be reusing Oakmead for future treatments

21st January 2025

I have been a patient for many years and have trust in the dentist

17th January 2025

Paul and his nurse are a great team and even laugh at my awful jokes. He is also very professional, patient and accommodating.

17th January 2025

Great staff who do everything possible to allay any fears you may have during your treatment

15th January 2025

Every time, it's genuinely a pleasure to go as the staff are really friendly, there's no clinical smell in the waiting area which makes a huge difference and we always feel safe. Thank you!

12th January 2025

As always polite and friendly and caring service from reception to clinician, all exhibiting a high degree of professionalism and kindness.

9th January 2025

Have been a long-standing patient and always satisfied with the services received

5th January 2025

I always receive excellent and very thoughtful care from Paul and the team.

3rd January 2025

Friendly and professional

31st December 2024

Reception are always friendly and Jenna is excellent also they take cash

26th December 2024

The dentists have always been superb and extremely professional in their care.Very happy to continue coming back.

24th December 2024

My requirements for treatment are met very well

GC

Gary C

100% recommend this practice

23rd December 2024

Friendly & gentle experience

22nd December 2024

The dentist and his nurse were very professional and informative.

20th December 2024

Effective professional treatment.

20th December 2024

Very friendly professional team. Always very welcoming. The dentist keeps you informed about your treatment.

19th December 2024

Really friendly dentist and dental nurse. Made me feel really comfortable always checked I was doing ok during my appointment. Kept me up to date with the progress they were making great service

16th December 2024

They are a patient-focused, community-based practice with years' of expertise.

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