2022-09-28T01:00:43+00:00

If you’ve woken up with a bad toothache, it can be difficult to think about anything else. Unfortunately, like with any pain that you experience, it is a good sign that there is something seriously wrong in your mouth. If the pain is severe, then it is classed as a dental emergency and it will need attention from a dental professional as soon as possible.

Why do I have a severe toothache?

Oftentimes, a severe toothache can seem to come out of nowhere, and leave you wishing that you had had a bit of warning to get things looked at before having to deal with all this excruciating pain.

There could be a number of reasons why you could have a severe toothache including:

  • A dental infection or abscess
  • Gum disease
  • A cracked or impacted tooth that has left nerves exposed or damaged

man with toothache

What to do when you are in pain

If you’ve ever had a severe toothache before, then you’ll know how debilitating and frustrating it can be and will want to try to relieve the pain as much as you can. Knowing what to do when a toothache comes on will help you to ensure that you don’t have to live with the pain for too long.

  1. First of all, you should try to rinse your mouth out with some warm water. This will remove any food debris that could be sitting in between your teeth that could be aggravating the problem.
  2. Gently press a cold icepack or compress onto the side of your cheek where the toothache is.
  3. Take some over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine. Make sure to stick to the recommended dosage as you don’t want to be dealing with the effects of too much medication as well as your toothache.
  4. Call your dental professional to make an appointment as soon as possible. If you let them know that you are in a lot of pain even after taking pain relief, they may be able to see you sooner than you think.

How can I avoid getting severe toothache?

Even though a severe toothache can come on suddenly, there are certain things that you can do to help avoid it happening at all.

  • Ensure that you have regular checkups with your dental professional so they can pick up any issues before they become a problem.
  • Have regular teeth cleanings
  • Clean teeth and gums every day to ensure that no food debris is left behind in your teeth.

Don’t ignore the pain when it comes

A severe toothache is always a sign that something needs attention. Even if you take pain relief, you’ll still have the pain when the medication wears off so it’s best to get in to see your dental team as soon as possible. If you have a dental emergency, our team at Coburg Hill are here to help so visit our clinic or give us a call on (03) 9041 5301.