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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 Lynn Road Dental Practice to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your Lynn Road Dental Practice 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 Lynn Road Dental Practice 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 Lynn Road Dental Practice in Kings Lynn as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01553 767543.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Lynn Road Dental Practice. 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

265 Reviews

5.0

18th April 2025

Both my child visit khen and have done for a while, but this day my son had some issues which khen helped him we come home and my son was still in pain so i called back and they fitted him back in within an hour and he was sorted out with antibiotics, my son has autism and he loves going to the dentist which I’m quite lucky with as he will only see khen

17th April 2025

It was an emargency appointment as filling fell out in the morning and I was seen in the afternoon.

MB

Mark Brewster

Can't fault Jay, very understanding & explains everything. Recently had a tooth taken out & to my surprise have had no pain or discomfort. Also my hygienist Sarah is brilliant.

15th April 2025

Jay made the patient feel more at ease.Everything clearly explained

10th April 2025

Brice is a great dentist.

6th April 2025

Great Team, excellent service always. Friendly, helpful and understanding staff.

5th April 2025

The hygienist was friendly, she listened to my experience and gave me advice

5th April 2025

I have several health issues which were managed during the appointment.

4th April 2025

All staff always very polite and efficient

3rd April 2025

The dentist is always very kind. I have acid reflux and cannot have the chair very reclined. I have to swallow frequently. He always stops whenever I need to do this. He explains in detail what treatment he recommends and is always kind and considerate.

31st March 2025

A warm welcome from reception staff , cheerful waiting room . Positive approach from the Dentist with constructive advice and encouragement and not least conscientious assistance from Dental Nurse . I have been a patient here for some fifteen years and the practice scores highly in relation to previous experience elsewhere.

31st March 2025

I had a visit to the hygienist who was friendly and I explained that I had to reschedule my appointment because I had a severe attack of neuralgia which meant that I could not attend the original appointment. She was very understanding and advised me of various aids and procedures I could use to help with the hygiene of my teeth and gums

29th March 2025

Khem Joshis is my Dentist, after a bad experience previously with another dentist, Khem has made me less fearful of going. There's no judgement and he makes my visit calm and reassuring.

28th March 2025

The efficient of the reception team, booking the appointment, I think her name was Gemma. The dentist and his nurse was both lovely and kind.

25th March 2025

Very friendly practice. It was the first time I’d seen Mo - he was great.

25th March 2025

After a long period of unsettlement regarding the treatment I had previously received, Mo has given me confidence from the offset to hopefully resolve my tooth pain.

24th March 2025

I'VE BEEN A PATIENT OVER MANY YEARS, NO PROBLEMS, OVER THOSE MANY YEARS, A GREAT SERVICE ALL ROUND

24th March 2025

After having great difficulty finding a dentist after moving to kingslynn and unable to find an NHS dentist I signed up for a treatment plan,I had several problems with my teeth which were quickly sorted out,yes expensive but worth it.

22nd March 2025

Friendly staff .

22nd March 2025

Staff are attentive and listen. Everything runs smoothly. You get a reminder call before your appointment

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