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

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your Cedar Dental Care dentist will need to examine you, and possibly take x-rays, 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 a 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 Cedar 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. Saltwater 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 the 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 Cedar Dental Care as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01635 867979.

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Cedar 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…

Patient reviews

1581 Reviews

5.0

22nd April 2025

From entering reception to leaving the team were very polite and friendly. I had no problems whatsoever very professional !!!

20th April 2025

The receptionist was welcoming and as always Abbey was brilliant.

19th April 2025

The overall experience within the practice.

18th April 2025

Dr Patel is a fantastic clinician and one of the most thorough dentists that I’ve ever had! Never a suggestion of unnecessary work, just good, honest dentistry.

16th April 2025

Abby Dundas is amazing and always goes above and beyond for me. She is very holistic in her treatment and asks about my other health problems also

16th April 2025

Attention and care was kind and sincere. I was confident in the care I was given.

15th April 2025

The dentist team that I have had experience of and their nurses are always very professional supportive and go out of their way to help follow up with any questions or quieres.My treatment is always of a high standard.

13th April 2025

Fabulous friendly and professional service all round from all members of staff

13th April 2025

All staff are polite and respectful whilst also being jolly enough to relieve any anxiety.Facilities are extremely clean and comfortable.The technical expertise expressed gives you confidence in the treatment you are receiving.

13th April 2025

Made to feel relaxed and the procedure was clearly explained. Aftercare clearly explained

13th April 2025

Highly skilled practitioners. Staff talked through everything that the were doing.

13th April 2025

Very efficient service

13th April 2025

A clean and well organised practice. Somehow makes a dental visit a reasonably pleasant and enjoyable thing.

12th April 2025

Friendliness of all the staff and the professionalism of all involved.

11th April 2025

I am more than happy with the treatment I receive on a regular basis from Abigail Dundas. She has particular expertise with a problem I sometimes experience and has always managed to resolve the issue.My only question is about the pricing of treatments. They seem to increase every 6 months and there is no advice given about how much treatments will cost. Having said that, I'm happy to pay.

K

Katfish

Highly recommend. Warm and welcoming staff (receptionists, the dentist, the nurse). They all made a visit to dentist a pleasant experience. Extremely happy with the dentist - Thorough check up.

10th April 2025

All the staff brilliant, modern feelings not run down

9th April 2025

Dentist was very reassuring and calm. The hygienist was very thorough with the clean and provided a hand scale. Have terrible phobia of dentists but felt okay.

9th April 2025

My dentist is very good at explaining what is going on with my teeth and the options available for any treatments which might be needed. I am given a quote for any treatments suggested.

8th April 2025

Professional and friendly staff that showed care and pride in their role. Clean reception area and consultation room

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