Dental Pain & Advice

If you have dental pain it is important you see us as soon as possible. Sometimes you may have to manage the situation yourself until we can see you, so here is some general advice.

Analgesics – Good analgesics for dental pain include ibuprofen, paracetamol and codeine. These are also available in excellent combination preparations such as Nuromol ™. Do not take anything you are allergic to and seek advice from us or a Pharmacist or Medical Practitioner if you are not sure.

Pain with hot & cold – A number of dental problems can lead to these symptoms ranging from tooth root sensitivity to a dying tooth nerve. If the pain is not manageable, take analgesics as necessary.

Pain with hot – If you have severe tooth pain caused by hot food or drinks, you may have a dying tooth nerve. Sometimes rinsing with cold water will give relief. Take analgesics as indicated above.

Gum Swelling – An infected gum or non vital tooth can cause gum swelling. Often antibiotics are prescribed to help settle the infection but it best for us to see you first in order to make a diagnosis. Rinsing with hot salt water may give some relief. Mix a teaspoon of salt with hot water and rinse vigorously several time per day.

Tooth tender to pressure – If a tooth is tender to pressure that feels deep inside the jaw, it is likely a dental infection. Sometimes it can be related to a sinus infection. If the pain is a sharper jab that feels inside the tooth, there may be a crack in the tooth. Diagnosis of these problems can be tricky, so the more information you can tell us the better.

Wisdom tooth pain – Many people lack room for their wisdom teeth and can experience a painful gum around the tooth. Manage the situation as described above for a gum swelling.

Jaw joint pain – A painful jaw joint with associated symptoms such as limited opening ability or clicking joint can be settled with analgesics and a warm compress can give relief. Try to rest the jaw as much as possible and avoid chewy foods.. Sometimes an night guard is recommended.

Pain after a tooth extraction – Please click on this link for instructions and advice (PDF link).