Toothache

Toothache is when you feel pain in or around your tooth. It’s usually caused by tooth decay, an infection or injury. If left untreated, a toothache can lead to more serious problems. So, it’s important to see a dentist to figure out the cause and stop anything getting worse.

About toothache

If you have a toothache, you might find that your symptoms come and go. But even if things seem to get better, it’s still a good idea to see a dentist. Toothache is usually a sign there‘s a problem with your dental health, and tooth pain often comes back. There are lots of things your dentist can do to treat toothache early and stop it from developing into something more serious like an infection.

What causes toothache?

There are lots of things that can cause a toothache, including the following.:

• Tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth produce acids that can erode the layers of your teeth.
• Gum disease. If plaque builds up around your gums, it can lead to painful inflammation, infection, and damage to the tissues that support your teeth. Over time, this can cause your gums to recede, exposing the roots inside your teeth and causing more pain.
• A dental abscess. This is an infection that causes a painful collection of pus to form inside your tooth, gums or mouth.
• A cracked tooth. If you have a cracked, chipped or broken tooth, the sensitive layers inside might become exposed and painful.
• An impacted tooth. This is when a tooth gets stuck inside your gums and doesn’t break through properly, which can be painful.
• Grinding your teeth. If you grind your teeth (known as bruxism), it can eventually wear them down, exposing the sensitive structures inside and causing you pain.
• Crooked teeth. If your teeth are severely misaligned it can lead to uneven pressure and pain in your mouth.

Symptoms of toothache

If you have a toothache, you might find that the pain is there all the time or that it’s triggered by something in particular. Tooth pain can also range from mild to severe. You might have:

• a dull, throbbing pain in your tooth or jaw
• a sharp pain when you eat or drink
• swelling around your tooth or gums
• sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food and drinks

When to seek help for toothache

IIt’s always best to see a dentist for toothache, especially if:

• the pain lasts for more than two days
• you have unbearable tooth pain
• you also have swelling around your teeth, gums or jaw
• over-the-counter toothache pain relief isn't helping
• you have a bad taste or smell in your mouth
• you have a fever

Go to A&E if you need urgent care for dental pain, including if you have toothache and also have:

• swelling around your eye or neck
• new trouble with your vision
• difficulty opening your mouth, speaking, swallowing or breathing

These are signs of an infection that might be spreading.

How to relieve toothache

There are some things you can do to ease tooth pain until you see a dentist. Try these tips for toothache relief.

• Take over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Rinse your mouth with half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, to help ease pain from gum inflammation.
• Place an ice pack, wrapped in a tea towel, against your cheek.
• Rub a painkilling gel into the area, to soothe inflamed gums.
• Avoid very hard, hot or cold foods.
• Use a soft toothbrush and don’t floss where it’s painful.
• Try eating soft foods and using the other side of your mouth.

How to get rid of toothache

Your dentist will examine your mouth and might carry out a dental X-ray to see what could be causing your tooth pain.

The type of treatment you’ll need will depend on what’s causing your symptoms, but there are lots of things your dentist can do to treat toothache. They might recommend the following.

A filling

If you have a hole (cavity) in your tooth because of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend filling it. This is when your dentist fills the hole in your tooth with a material such as composite resin or amalgam. They’ll numb the area before cleaning out any bacteria from your tooth, and then filling it. Sometimes, they might file and polish your tooth to match its natural shape, then harden the material using a special light.

A dental crown

If your tooth is severely decayed and can’t be filled, a dental crown might be the best option. This is when your dentist completely covers your whole tooth with an artificial cap that looks similar to a normal tooth. This usually happens in two appointments. During the first, your dentist will remove the damaged parts of your tooth. They’ll also take an impression of your mouth, adjust the shape of your tooth and fit a temporary crown. They’ll send the impression off to a lab to create your custom-made crown. When this is ready, your dentist will invite you back to cement your permanent crown in place.

Root canal treatment

If the nerve deep inside your tooth is permanently damaged, your dentist may suggest a root canal treatment. This is when they numb your mouth, make a small hole in your tooth and clean out all the bacteria, before sealing it back up again. This can sometimes take a few sessions to complete. Your dentist will ask you to come back for another appointment, so they can check everything is healing. You’ll also need to have a permanent filling or a crown, which might be done at the same time or at another appointment.

Tooth removal

If your tooth is severely damaged or infected and can’t be repaired with other treatments, your dentist might suggest taking it out completely. This will stop any infection from spreading. To do this, your dentist will numb the area completely before loosening your tooth and carefully removing it from its socket. Sometimes, they’ll put a small stitch in your gum to close it back up. Your dentist will also discuss all your options to replace your missing tooth with you at a later date.

Treatment for gum disease

If gum disease is the reason for your toothache, your dentist will likely suggest treating the underlying gum disease to ease your pain. This could include a deep clean to remove any build-up of plaque and tartar, antibiotics if you have a gum infection, or sometimes surgery.

Orthodontic treatment

If crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth are causing you pain, your dentist might suggest orthodontic treatment, such as braces or aligners. These help to straighten your teeth and correct your bite, relieving the pressure on your mouth.

A mouth guard

If your toothache is caused by grinding your teeth while you sleep, wearing a mouth guard at night might help to ease your pain. A mouth guard is a plastic or rubber appliance that you wear over your teeth while you sleep to stop them rubbing together. It’s best to get one from a dentist, so that it’s tailor-made for your teeth.

Prevention of toothache

The best way to prevent tooth pain is to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

• Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, twice a day.
• Use floss or an interdental brush to clean between your teeth at least once a day.
• Visit your dentist and hygienist for regular check-ups  and cleaning.
• Limit how often you eat sugary and acidic food and drinks.
• Avoid snacking in between meals.
• Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth or play contact sports.
• Chew sugar-free gum after eating, to produce saliva that helps to clean your mouth.