Ouch! How to ease toothache while waiting for an appointment

Toothache is never fun. When you contact us we will always ask you to describe the pain for us as that will give us an idea of the possible cause. But until we can see you here are our top tips for managing your toothache.

Painkillers - your pharmacist will be the best person to talk to about the most appropriate painkiller for your toothache. It is especially important to talk to them if you are on medication for any other condition. Also check on the dosage - it is possible to take too many when you are in pain. The pharmacist can advise on how to layer medications if necessary.

Pain relieving gel - your pharmacist may also be able to recommend a topical pain reliever for you. Gels can be especially good for children, but please seek advice first.

Mouth rinse - a salt water rinse can be soothing if you have sore gums. Please note that this is not suitable for children.

Eating Dos and Don'ts

If you are hungry then we recommend soft foods that would not require much chewing. Yoghurt, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soups and stews would be our go to options.

Avoid sugary foods if possible especially if cleaning your teeth is difficult. This is not a time to be feeding the bad bacteria that may be lurking between your teeth.

Eat food that is room temperature not hot or cold. Exposed nerves are very temperature sensitive.

Avoid smoking, it can make some dental problems worse.

How to use temporary filling and crown repair

Losing a filling or a crown is really frustrating but not always a dental emergency. While you wait to be seen by the dentist we may recommend that you use a temporary dental repair kit which you can buy from most leading chemists or online. This video explains how to use the kit.

How to take a photo of your teeth

To help your clinicians have the clearest view possible of your teeth and smile, you may be asked to share photos ahead of your appointment.

For the best angle face on, we recommend you get two spoons and hold the side of your cheeks and bite down to show the front and sides of your teeth more clearly. You can use a similar method for getting a side angled shot.

Use one of the two spoons and hold each side of your cheeks and bite down to show the front and sides of your teeth more clearly.

For a clearer view of your upper arch, carefully tilt your head back and open your mouth wide so we can see all of your top arch of your teeth. Similarly, for your lower arch, tilt your head forward this time use the two spoons again to hold your cheeks to show the bottom arch of your teeth.

Some General advice

• Natural light is best where possible, avoid harsh overhead lights

• Avoid shadows, dark and not well-lit areas.

• When taking a photo on your mobile, try tapping the source of any light to adjust the exposure.

• If you can, try to get some closer up images in each position, but make sure the camera is not out of focus – try tapping on your mouth on your phone to focus specifically for your mouth.

• If possible, ask a friend or family