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Looking for a caring and professional dental practice? We’re excited to welcome new patients to our clinic! Whether you’re due for a check-up, need treatment, or are looking to enhance your smile, our friendly team is here to help.
Contact us today to book your first appointment—we look forward to meeting you!

Toothache

A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth. Minor toothaches can come from a temporary gum irritation which may be treated at home. More serious toothaches are caused by dental and mouth problems that are more difficult and will need to be treated by a dentist.

Possible causes of toothache can include:

  • Tooth decay
  • Abscessed tooth
  • A cracked or damaged tooth
  • A loose or broken filling
  • An infection – this often happens when a tooth (such as a wisdom tooth) has broken the skin, but does not have enough room to fully come through
  • Problems with your braces
  • Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth
  • Infected gums

Symptoms of a toothache may include:

  • Tooth pain that may be sharp, throbbing, or constant. In some people, pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth.
  • Swelling around the tooth
  • Fever or headache
  • Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

When should I see a dentist about a toothache?

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:

  • You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days
  • Your toothache is severe
  • You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide

As with any teeth problems, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms it's important to book an appointment at The Mayhill Dental and Specialist Centre to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your The Mayhill Dental and Specialist Centre dentist will need to examine you, and possibly take x-rays, in order to identify the cause of your toothache. Once this has been identified, they will conduct any temporary treatment to relieve your pain and advise if further treatment is required to address the underlying issue.

Possible treatments may include:

  • If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or take the tooth out, if necessary.
  • A root canal (a procedure to remove and replace infected pulp with sealing material) may be needed if the cause of the toothache is an infection of the tooth's nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner space of the root of the tooth cause infection.
  • An antibiotic may be prescribed if there is fever or swelling of the jaw.
  • A small piece of food (like a popcorn hull) can get stuck under the gums causing an infection. In this instance, a deep cleaning may be performed or recommended followed by further periodontal (gum) therapy if necessary.

Preventing toothache

Since most toothaches are the result of tooth decay, following good oral hygiene practices can prevent toothaches. Good oral hygiene practices consist of brushing regularly with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, flossing once daily, rinsing once or twice a day with an antiseptic mouthwash, and seeing your The Mayhill Dental and Specialist Centre dentist regularly for professional cleaning and reviews. In addition to these practices, eat foods low in sugar and ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride applications.

How do I treat a toothache at home?

For temporary relief of a toothache, the following can be followed at home:

  • Avoid extremes of temperature, such as hot drinks or very cold foods like ice cream
  • Avoid sugary or acidic foods, especially sweets or fizzy drinks, even diet ones, as these can aggravate the pain
  • Eat soft foods, like yoghurt or scrambled eggs, and try to avoid chewing with the sore tooth
  • Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol
  • Use an over-the-counter anaesthetic gel, for example Orajel, which you can buy in a pharmacy, to help relieve the pain
  • Continue to brush and floss your teeth as thoroughly as possible, and rub toothpaste directly onto the sore tooth or area
  • Rinse with warm saltwater. Salt water can loosen debris between your teeth, act as a disinfectant and reduce inflammation. Stir a ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
  • Use mouthwash suitable for gum problems, such as Corsodyl or Peroxyl, from your local pharmacy
  • Massage the gum around the tooth to help ease pain
  • Use cloves or cotton wool to place clove oil over the painful tooth or area of the mouth. You can buy cloves in supermarkets
  • Keep your head elevated at night. Lying down can increase blood pressure in the tooth and cause pain
  • Keep the area cold by using a cool pack or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Apply this to your cheek. Don’t apply ice directly to the tooth as this can increase pain and damage the tissue

If you have any toothache or discomfort, contact The Mayhill Dental and Specialist Centre in Monmouth as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01600 712020 .

Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to The Mayhill Dental and Specialist Centre. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

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Patient reviews

848 Reviews

5.0

12th September 2025

Jason is a superb and is kind and I trust him and that combination is amazing best dentist and I have experienced quite a few at 77 years old and teeth suffered because of dentist treatment towards me.

10th September 2025

All the staff are excellent. I saw Ryan Lello and he was superb, so calm and gentle, he made the whole experience very pleasant and put me at ease

9th September 2025

The caring and professionalism shown by every team member makes Mayhill a wonderful practice. I began treatment here as a highly nervous patient, now I consider going to the dentist a form of self-care rather than an ordeal. The support has been amazing. I can't speak highly enough of them.

8th September 2025

For my hygiene apt the nurse used the new machine which was far less traumatic than the usual manual scale and polish. I even booked another session in between my next scheduled 6 month check up. I know I need to floss but find this traumatic and appre intend the gentle way the hygienist broached this.

8th September 2025

Great team - dentist, nurse & reception

6th September 2025

Everyone was helpful & it all ran on time.

5th September 2025

Not sure what you mean

4th September 2025

Thank you- everyone treated me with care and respect. My care has been excellent.

2nd September 2025

It was a real pleasure to be treated by the Mayhill hygienist team - I opted for the GBT procedure and was happy with every part of the treatment and the kind, courteous and professional delivery. I look forward to my next visit.

2nd September 2025

I attended the appt having cracked my tooth before my holiday & was keen to ensure the tooth was protected. Jason tested to check the tooth was still live before proceeding with building the tooth back up. He built the tooth back up, and I left being able to enjoy my holiday. I would highly recommend Jason.

30th August 2025

The Mayhill is a superior dental facility. Staff are respectful, facility is spotless and equipment and treatments up to date. I have been with the Mayhill since they opened in Monmouth and cannot recommend them highly enough.

30th August 2025

I’m familiar and comfortable with the dentist and hygienist

28th August 2025

Tall staff are polite welcoming and friendly ! They respect you as a patient and ask about your health . They treat you with care and understand your needs and remember your details and areas of sensitivity.

28th August 2025

Very patient hygienist and dentist

28th August 2025

Treatment was relaxed and pain free

28th August 2025

The consummate professionalism and care of the whole team.

22nd August 2025

The main observation I would make is there seems a disconnect over pricing between reception and the dentist.The reception team seems to think it’s one price and the dentist another.This happened before when I was having my teeth whitened.

22nd August 2025

Tracy is a great hygienist, thorough but very gentle, and I like the new tech you now use

21st August 2025

Reception staff always very welcoming friendly and helpful,high standard of cleanliness,professional approach of dentists and hygienist but always approachable,attentive and concerned to give best care

21st August 2025

Professional and friendly approach

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