Managing Toothache & Infection In a Dental Emergency
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
What Causes Toothache?
Tooth decay
Broken Teeth
Gum Disease
Abscesses or Infection
Jaw problems
How is Toothache Treated?
A dentist will examine your mouth to determine the cause of pain.
Dental treatment, such as fillings, root treatment or sometimes extraction of the tooth, may be needed
Painkillers can help – paracetamol and, if you can safely take it, ibuprofen. Both can be bought from pharmacies.
Always read the patient information leaflet and check it is safe for you to take either medicine.
You can ask your pharmacist for advice.
Do antibiotics help with toothache?
Do not take antibiotics for a tooth infections without a dentists prescription.
A dentist will decide whether antibiotics are needed to your toothache.
Antibiotics do not stop the infection on their own, and they do not stop the pain.
Dental treatment will usually be needed to stop the source of the infection.
What if I Feel Worse After Seeing the Dentist?
Contact your dentist or phone NHS 111 if any of the following occur:
You develop a fever over 102°F (38°C).
You develop redness and swelling of
your face, jaw or neck.
You are unable to open your mouth.
You have severe pain uncontrolled
by pain medicine
You have difficulty swallowing
We are Here to Help
Please call us at 01244 377 373 We will find the earliest available appointment for you
Antibiotic Resistance is one of the biggest threats facing the world today
Unlike many things in medicine antibiotics work less effectively the more often they are taken
Be aware that antibiotics are not always the best way to manage toothache and dental infection
The best way to treat a toothache is to remove the cause of infection
Toothache is usually caused by decay, which may lead to dental infection