Toothache

Toothache

A toothache can generally (but not always) be diagnosed from the symptoms. Listed below are the five most common types of toothache. If you recognise your symptoms get to us as soon as possible. If you don't recognise your symptoms, get to us as soon as possible! DO NOT PLACE AN ASPIRIN AGAINST THE TOOTH. This will cause burns to the gum and will not be effective in relieving the toothache.

1. Tooth tender to touch, pain kept you awake last night, hot drinks make the pain worse but cold drinks make it better: This is an abscess. You need this tooth treated as soon as possible. It will not get better by itself. For pain take Nurofen (if you are not allergic to aspirin), Panadol or Panadeine.
2. Tooth will ache for no reason, possibly in waves. Pain is severe but then passes. This is probably an abscess starting. This tooth should be treated as soon as possible. It will not get better by itself. For pain take Nurofen (if you are not allergic to aspirin), Panadol or Panadeine.
3. Tooth hurts when chewing hard things. Pain comes quickly and goes quickly. There is no pain at other times. This is most likely a cracked tooth or filling. This is not urgent if you avoid biting on the tooth but should be looked at in the near future.
4. Tooth hurts when eating or drinking sweet things. This is most likely a hole. This is not urgent but should be looked at as soon as possible.
5. Tooth sensitive to cold drinks. This can be any one of a number of things including, new dental work, decay, cracked teeth, clenching and grinding. This is not urgent but should be looked at as soon as possible.

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