Severe Tooth Pain: What Should You Do?
Severe tooth pain can make it difficult to sleep, eat, work or concentrate on everyday activities. While some dental problems can wait for a routine appointment, sudden or intense pain may need urgent dental assessment.
Knowing what to do when severe tooth pain starts can help you respond appropriately and avoid making the problem worse. If you are looking for an emergency dentist in Leicester, Heritage & Castle Dental Care provides emergency dental care for patients experiencing urgent dental problems.
Is Severe Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency?
Severe tooth pain can have several possible causes, including tooth decay, damage to a tooth, infection or problems affecting the gums. The level of pain alone does not always indicate the cause, so an examination by a dental professional may be necessary.
Urgent dental attention is particularly important when severe pain is accompanied by swelling, bleeding, trauma, fever or other symptoms that are getting worse.
Severe or rapidly increasing swelling that affects breathing, swallowing or speaking requires urgent medical attention. Call 999 or go to A&E if you are experiencing a serious emergency.
What Should You Do If You Have Severe Tooth Pain?
If you develop severe tooth pain, try to arrange an urgent dental assessment rather than simply waiting for the pain to disappear.
- Contact a dentist and explain that you are experiencing severe tooth pain.
- Explain when the pain started and whether it is getting worse.
- Tell the dental team if you have swelling, bleeding, trauma or other symptoms.
- Follow appropriate temporary pain-relief advice while arranging your appointment.
- Avoid chewing on the painful side of your mouth where possible.
Heritage & Castle Dental Care's emergency dental service in Leicester is designed for patients experiencing sudden pain, dental trauma and other urgent dental problems.
What Causes Severe Tooth Pain?
Severe tooth pain can develop for different reasons. A dentist will need to examine the tooth and surrounding tissues to identify the underlying problem.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can cause sensitivity and pain as it progresses. If the decay reaches deeper parts of the tooth, the pain may become more significant and require dental treatment.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can cause significant toothache, swelling and other symptoms and should receive appropriate dental assessment.
You can also read the NHS guidance on dental abscesses for further information.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
A cracked, chipped or broken tooth can expose sensitive areas and cause pain, especially when eating or drinking. Dental assessment can help determine the appropriate treatment.
Problems With Existing Dental Work
A lost filling, damaged crown or other dental restoration can sometimes cause sudden discomfort. Avoid attempting to permanently repair the problem yourself and arrange a dental assessment.
Heritage & Castle Dental Care provides fillings and restorative dental treatments for a range of tooth damage and restoration needs.
What Can You Do While Waiting for an Emergency Dentist?
While waiting for professional dental care, there are some general measures that may help you manage discomfort temporarily.
Temporary measures
- If suitable and safe for you, use appropriate over-the-counter pain relief according to the product instructions or advice from a pharmacist.
- Eat softer foods and avoid chewing directly on the painful tooth.
- Avoid foods and drinks that clearly trigger your pain.
- Keep the mouth clean with gentle brushing.
- Contact a dentist as soon as possible for appropriate assessment.
These steps are only temporary. They do not treat the underlying cause of severe tooth pain.
What Should You NOT Do If You Have Severe Tooth Pain?
Trying to manage severe tooth pain yourself can sometimes make the situation worse. Avoid:
- Applying aspirin directly to the tooth or gum.
- Trying to remove or drain an abscess yourself.
- Using household chemicals or unsuitable substances on the painful area.
- Ignoring severe pain simply because it temporarily improves.
- Delaying dental assessment when symptoms are getting worse.
When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Help?
Most toothache should be assessed by a dentist. However, some symptoms can indicate a serious medical emergency.
Seek urgent medical help if:
- Severe swelling is affecting your breathing.
- You are having difficulty swallowing or speaking.
- There is serious facial trauma.
- You have uncontrolled heavy bleeding.
- A rapidly worsening facial or mouth swelling is causing serious symptoms.
In a serious emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Appointment?
During an emergency dental appointment, the dentist will assess your symptoms and examine the affected area. Depending on the situation, further dental investigations may be required. You can also explore our dental services to understand the wider care available at the practice.
The aim is to understand the cause of the problem and determine the most appropriate next step. Treatment will depend on the findings and may involve addressing the damaged or infected tooth, relieving the immediate problem or arranging further treatment.
What Should You Tell the Dentist When You Call?
Giving the dental team clear information can help them understand the urgency of your situation.
Have these details ready:
- When the pain started.
- Where the pain is located.
- Whether the pain is constant or comes and goes.
- Whether there is swelling or bleeding.
- Whether the tooth has been broken or injured.
- Any recent dental treatment.
- Any pain relief or other medication you have already taken.
Emergency Dentist Leicester: How Heritage & Castle Dental Care Can Help
Heritage & Castle Dental Care is a private dental clinic in Leicester providing dental care for patients across Leicester and the surrounding Leicestershire area.
The practice provides emergency dental care for problems including severe toothache, chipped or broken teeth, lost fillings or crowns, dental abscesses and knocked-out teeth.
The practice aims to see emergency patients as quickly as possible whenever appointments are available, with same-day appointments where possible.
3 Spalding Street,
Leicester,
LE5 4PH
Emergency enquiries: 0116 360 2111
If you are looking for an emergency dentist in Leicester, contact the practice to discuss your symptoms and appointment options.
What Happens After the Emergency?
Emergency treatment may address the immediate dental problem, but further treatment can sometimes be needed depending on the underlying cause. Depending on your needs, your dentist may discuss cosmetic dentistry in Leicester or other suitable treatment options.
For example, a damaged tooth may require restorative treatment, while other problems may require additional dental care. Your dentist can explain the available treatment options after assessing the condition of your teeth and gums. If tooth replacement is discussed as part of your treatment plan, you can review the practice's dental implant information.
Preventive care can also help reduce the risk of future dental problems. Regular examinations and professional cleaning can support good oral health. Learn more about our hygiene and preventive care services.
Heritage & Castle Dental Care provides hygiene and preventive dental care as part of its wider dental services.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are dealing with severe tooth pain, these are some of the common questions people ask when deciding whether they need urgent dental care.
Severe tooth pain may require urgent dental assessment, particularly if it affects your sleep or daily activities, does not improve with suitable pain relief or is accompanied by swelling or other concerning symptoms.
First check whether you have any serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you do, call 999 or go to A&E. If there are no emergency medical symptoms, seek urgent dental advice and arrange an appointment as soon as possible.
An emergency dentist can assess a suspected dental abscess and determine the appropriate treatment. The treatment will depend on the cause, location and severity of the problem and the findings during the dental examination.
Most severe toothache should be assessed by a dentist. A&E or 999 is appropriate when there are serious symptoms such as severe swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, serious facial injuries or uncontrolled heavy bleeding.
Contact a dentist for advice, particularly if the broken tooth is painful, bleeding or was damaged following an injury. Avoid chewing on the affected side and do not attempt to repair the tooth yourself.
Seek urgent dental advice when the pain is severe, persistent or affecting your normal activities. Significant swelling, uncontrolled pain and dental trauma require particular attention.
Explain when the pain started, where it is located and how severe it is. Also mention swelling, bleeding, fever, trauma, recent dental treatment and any medication you have already taken.
Pain may temporarily reduce or disappear, but this does not necessarily mean the underlying dental problem has resolved. Persistent or recurring tooth pain should be assessed by a dental professional.
Suitable temporary measures may include appropriate over-the-counter pain relief, eating soft foods and avoiding foods or drinks that trigger the pain. These measures are temporary and do not replace professional dental assessment.
Need Urgent Dental Care in Leicester?
If you are experiencing severe tooth pain or another urgent dental problem, contact Heritage & Castle Dental Care to discuss your symptoms and appointment options.
Book an Emergency Dental ConsultationThis article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis or treatment.