Severe toothache is more than just a nuisance; it is your body's alarm system telling you that something is critically wrong inside your tooth. Dental pain is often ranked as one of the most intense types of pain humans can experience, and when it strikes, it can be debilitating, affecting your sleep, ability to eat, and ability to concentrate.

At Emergency Dentist London, we understand that a toothache is an urgent situation. We prioritize pain relief, aiming to diagnose the root cause and stop the suffering in a single visit.

Understanding the Pain: Reversible vs. Irreversible Pulpitis

Not all toothaches are the same. Understanding the symptoms can help diagnose the severity:

Reversible Pulpitis

A sharp, fleeting pain when eating something cold or sweet. The pain stops quickly once the stimulus is removed. This usually indicates a small cavity or exposed root that can be fixed with a filling.

Irreversible Pulpitis

This is a true emergency. The pain is spontaneous (starts without warning), lingers for minutes after drinking cold/hot fluids, or wakes you up at night. This means the nerve (pulp) inside the tooth is dying or infected. It will not heal on its own and requires a root canal or extraction.

Apical Periodontitis

The tooth feels high or painful when biting down. This indicates the infection has spread from the nerve out of the root tip into the jawbone.

Common Causes of Toothache

Deep Decay

Bacteria penetrate the enamel and dentine, reaching the sensitive nerve.

Fractured Tooth

A crack allows bacteria and fluid to irritate the pulp.

Abscess

An infection at the root tip causing pressure buildup.

Gum Infection

Food trapped between the gum and tooth can simulate toothache pain.

Home Care Advice (Until You See Us)

Anti-inflammatories:

Ibuprofen is generally more effective than Paracetamol for dental pain as it reduces inflammation. (Always check if you can take it safely).

Elevation:

Sleep with your head propped up on pillows to reduce blood pressure in the tooth.

Clove Oil:

Dab a tiny amount of clove oil on the affected tooth (avoiding the gum) for natural anaesthesia.

Avoid Triggers:

Stick to lukewarm, soft foods and avoid sweets.

Warning: NEVER place an aspirin tablet directly on the gum next to the tooth. It causes severe chemical burns.

Professional Treatment Options

We do not just prescribe painkillers; we treat the cause. Depending on the diagnosis, we may perform:

Emergency Extirpation (Start of Root Canal)

If the nerve is infected, we drill a small access hole, remove the inflamed nerve tissue, and place a sedative dressing. This procedure relieves the pressure immediately, often stopping the pain completely before you leave the chair. You then return later to finish the root canal.

Tooth Extraction

If the tooth is non-restorable (too broken or decayed), the safest option is to remove it. We ensure you are completely numb before any procedure. Extraction provides instant cure by removing the source of infection.

Temporary Fillings

If the pain is due to a lost filling or exposed dentine, we can place a sedative glass ionomer filling that releases fluoride and soothes the nerve.

Why You Should Not Wait

Dental infections can spread. A simple toothache can turn into a facial swelling or Ludwig's Angina (a life-threatening airway obstruction) if ignored.

Furthermore, painkillers stop working once the infection spreads to the bone. Seeking help early not only stops the pain but often saves the tooth from extraction.

Don't suffer in silence. Get immediate relief and save your tooth.