Toothache

Toothache is a hard-to-ignore type of pain that can prevent the practice of daily life activities. At the tooth’s core lies the pulp tissue responsible for tooth sensation. When the stimulus, regardless of its type, reaches the pulp, the pulp will be irritated, and you will feel pain.

At Dulwich Dental Centre we understand how much toothache can ruin your day. We have world-class dental experts capable of detecting the root cause of your toothache to manage it efficiently and relieve your pain.

Our esteemed Dental Centre is well-equipped with the most recent tools and technologies to provide the best possible care.

If you experience an emergency toothache don’t hesitate to contact us. We provide during and after-office emergency appointments for all people across London without prior registration.

How is The Pulp Affected

The pulp tissue is a delicate connective tissue that contains the blood supply, nerves, and lymphatic drainage of the tooth.

The pulp lies in a confined space protected by the superior enamel and dentine layers. Once these protective layers are invaded, the pulp cannot withstand the bacterial invasion and reacts through inflammation that may progress to pulp death.

Not only bacterial invasion but the pulp of a sound tooth may be affected. Improper biting during parafunctional habits may also cause pulp affection due to the severe load applied to the tooth.

The pulp has a protective reflex mechanism to protect the tooth. When you bite on something hard, you involuntary open your mouth as a protective mechanism of the pulp to avoid tooth fracture.

This is why it is always important to preserve the tooth vitality and maintain the protective functions of the pulp. Regular check-ups and never neglecting a toothache can help early intervention before the tooth pulp gets damaged.

Dental caries

The bacterial invasion of the tooth structure irritates the pulp tissue, which may start with sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets. Once full bacterial invasion of the pulp tissue starts, the pain becomes more intense and the pulp inflammation becomes irreversible, necessitating the total removal of pulp tissue and filling through a root canal treatment procedure.

Abscess

A dental abscess indicates the spread of the infection and inflammation beyond the tooth root to the surrounding bone and gum tissues. Dental abscess causes severe pain that cannot be managed using painkillers. It may be accompanied by pus drainage through a fistula and fever.

Bruxism

Bruxism involves a masticatory motion in the absence of food. Grinding your teeth may lead to attrition of the enamel layer which will lead to teeth sensitivity in addition to severe muscle pain and TMJ problems.

Tooth fracture/ crack

A tooth fracture or crack provides direct access to the bacteria inside the tooth. The fractured or cracked teeth are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. If this is not managed promptly, it may lead to irreversible pulp inflammation.

Gum diseases

Inflammation of the gum tissues causes dull pain that may affect your mood. The gum inflammation is characterised by dull pain, bleeding on brushing, and gum tissue becoming red and swollen. If the gum inflammation is not managed, it may progress to a severe form of inflammation that affects the tooth-supporting structures such as bone, leading to gum recession and bone resorption.

Inflamed extraction or surgical site

The proper handling of a surgical or extraction site ensures smooth healing. If the post-surgical instructions are not strictly followed, this may lead to severe pain and inflammation of the surgical site.

Different Types of Toothache

• Sharp shooting pain
  A sharp shooting momentary pain that subsides when the stimulus is removed is usually related to initial tooth decay that hasn’t reached the pulp yet, receded gums causing exposure of root surface, or defective restoration. This type of pain is an early sign of an existing problem, consulting our experts at this stage will prevent permanent damage to the tooth pulp.
• Dull aching pain
  Persistent dull pain may indicate a deep carious lesion that has reached the dentine and near the pulp tissue. It can also be related to gum inflammation.
• Throbbing pain
  Throbbing pain indicates the existence of pulp inflammation within the pulp and probably abscess formation. This is considered an emergency dental condition as the pain cannot be alleviated by regular painkillers.
• Toothache or jaw pain when waking up
  This type of pain indicates you are a bruxer. When you clench your teeth during sleep, this causes severe headaches and muscle pain when you wake up. If bruxism is not managed, it may lead to TMJ problems and teeth sensitivity due to wear of the enamel layer.
• Referred pain
  Sometimes a toothache may not have a dental origin and be referred from another body part. Several medical conditions may lead to referred pain in the teeth, such as sinusitis, migraine, and trigeminal neuralgia. A referred pain is suspected when there is no evident dental cause for the pain.

Your Toothache Under Control at Dulwich Dental Centre

If you experience a toothache that lasts more than two days, does not subside with painkillers, and is accompanied by swelling or pus discharge, consult our dental experts immediately.

The early detection of the cause of a toothache can help protect the tooth from pulp damage.

The Dulwich Dental Office team is always here to assist you. During your visit, we will utilise various diagnostic tools to identify and rule out all potential causes of your toothache, ultimately leading to a conclusive diagnosis.

Our world-class team employed cutting-edge technologies and tools, including intraoral cameras and Digital X-rays, to conduct a comprehensive examination.

Our dental experts are equipped to address your pain and anxiety using various techniques and tools, including dental sedation, to ensure that you receive the necessary dental treatment comfortably and pain-free.

Dulwich Dental Office offers various dental treatments to manage your toothache, such as:

• Filling your carious teeth using the finest dental fillings.
• Root canal filling of teeth with irreversible pulp inflammation.
• Fabricating custom-made nightguards to protect your teeth from the destructive effects of bruxism.

How To Prevent Toothache

• Maintain check-ups and hygiene visits every 6 months or as recommended by our dental experts
• Brush your teeth twice and floss at least once daily
• Decrease your consumption of sugary food
• Wear a protective mouthguard if you play contact sports to protect your teeth from fracture
• If you are a bruxer, use a custom-made nightguard at night to protect your teeth

How To Relieve Toothache Awaiting Your Visit

• Rinse your mouth with warm saline as it may help relieve inflammation.
• Use over-the-counter painkillers.
• Use a cold compress over the area of the toothache.
• Brush and floss your teeth, even those with a toothache to decrease bacterial colonization.
• Eat soft food and avoid chewing on the tooth that hurts.
• Do not smoke as it may aggravate the pain in case of a dry socket (inflamed extraction site).
• Avoid sugar, hot, and cold food.