Toothache

What causes toothache? Is all toothache equally painful? And when is the right time to tell your Bristol dentist about it?

What causes toothache?

Toothache can be caused in a number of ways. Tooth decay is the most common of these, but cracked teeth, broken or missing fillings, abscesses and receding gums are some of the other factors that could also be to blame.

At the centre of each of your teeth is a sensitive, spongy area called the pulp. When the nerves and blood vessels in the pulp become inflamed (because of any of the causes above) the result is toothache.

Is all toothache equally painful?

Surprisingly not. It could come and go or it may be constant. It could be a mild throbbing or it could be extremely painful. And it can be triggered by certain foods (usually something particularly hot or cold, or something sweet).

So just because you’re not in constant discomfort, doesn’t mean it’s not toothache.

How should I treat toothache and should I talk to my Bristol dentist?

Most people take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain of toothache. If you’re taking other medication, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist that they are safe for you to use. Don’t give aspirin to children under 16.

If the pain doesn’t disappear within a couple of days make an appointment at our Bristol dental surgery. The longer you leave it, the worse the pain will be.

How do I prevent toothache?

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is the easiest way to avoid toothache. You can do that by following these tips:

• Diet: Cut down sugary and starchy foods and drinks, particularly between meals. Enjoy them as an occasional treat rather than regularly, and avoid them completely in the hour before you go to bed.

• Don’t smoke: It can make dental problems worse.

• Brush your teeth properly: The vast majority of people who visit our Bristol dental surgery brush their teeth at least twice a day. But not enough of us brush our teeth properly. Here’s how you can put that right:

– Brush every surface of your teeth – front, back and the biting surfaces. Gently brush your gums and tongue too.
– Use the right amount of fluoride for you (ask us for details).
– Take 2 minutes to brush – use a stopwatch or egg-timer to help.
– 2 minutes of careful brushing is far better than a shorter period of vigorous brushing as that can damage tooth enamel just as much as acid.
– Spit out any excess toothpaste after brushing, but don’t rinse your mouth. Let the toothpaste do its job.

• Visit your Bristol dentist: Visit us regularly at Lodge Causeway Dental Centre and we’ll keep your teeth decay and abscess-free with check-ups and the occasional scale and polish if necessary.

Make your appointment

If you have – or think you have – toothache, make an appointment at our dental surgery in Bristol now. You can do that using the form on the right, or call us on 0117 958 68 78.