London Emergency Dentist

Toothache

Toothache is pain around the teeth and jaw that is usually caused by dental problems such as tooth decay. The pain can range from mild discomfort to severe throbbing in your head and ear. If you are feeling toothache you should visit our London Emergency Dentist who is on call 24 hours a day.

Causes of toothache

You get toothache when the pulp (containing nerves) in the middle of your tooth becomes inflamed. This may be caused by:

• Dental decay (caries), which can lead to cavities (holes) in the hard surface of the tooth
• A fracture (crack) in the tooth, which is often so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye
• Some types of dental treatment, such as a filling that has become loose or broken
• Receding gums (gums that have moved back), which leaves softer, more sensitive parts of the teeth exposed and may expose a tooth root

Dental pulp

The inside of your teeth is made up of soft, spongy tissue that contains sensitive nerves and blood vessels called dental pulp. This is surrounded by layers of tissue for protection. The outermost layer is called enamel and is harder than bone.

If the pulp becomes inflamed (pulpitis), due to dental decay and fracture in the tooth, or infection, it can cause toothache.

Mouth pain can also be caused by an abcess or ulcers on your gum or your wisdom teeth breaking through.

When to see the Emergency Dentist

If you have toothache, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to have it treated. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get.

Painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, may help to reduce pain and discomfort while you are waiting for an appointment.

Treatments

Treatment for toothache depends on what is causing the problem. Some of the possible treatment options are outlined below.

if your toothache is caused by tooth decay, the dentist will take out the decayed area and replace it with a filling.

if your toothache is caused by a loose or broken filling, the filling is taken out, any decay is cleaned out and a new filling is put in.

if the pulp of your tooth is infected, you may need to have root canal treatment, where your dentist (or a specialist called an endodontist) takes out the decayed pulp, fills the space with a paste and covers the tooth with a crown to protect and seal it.

Painkillers

While you are waiting for an appointment with your dentist, to ease the pain you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.