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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

881 Reviews

5.0

6th October 2025

very professional, excellent care

5th October 2025

The overall experience and knowledge offered by all I have seen over my few appointments. Trusting a dentist has been hard since I received some bad service elsewhere. Trust if so important to me.

4th October 2025

The reception staff were very welcoming & knowledgeable.The nurses were kind & caring & my dentist was friendly, gentle, knowledgeable & patient..

4th October 2025

Every body there goes above and beyond! My treatment has been second to none! I have been so happy going here!

4th October 2025

The friendliness of all the staff. The manner in which the specialist explained what my problems were and the possible treatments available, and what I could expect after I selected what I believe to be the way forward.

4th October 2025

Courteous, friendly and professional service from all members of the teamComfortable environmentEase of booking and text reminders/confirmations

3rd October 2025

Friendliness and professionalism of Specialist and staff.

3rd October 2025

Everyone is lovely. Things are explained to me and Evie clearly. Although she’s only 14 things are directed to her

3rd October 2025

I have had several appointments cancelled by the clinic . It’s often very difficult for me to reschedule as I need to adjust my work diary to attend . It’s often the case that I can’t be seen reasonably seen after a cancellation because of my difficulties rescheduling when the next appointments are available. After several tries I had to go for a year without seeing my chosen hygienist and have had similar problems scheduling my dentist appointment. Always excellent service and care though

3rd October 2025

Excellent service.

3rd October 2025

Clear explanation of what’s happening, friendly and professional.

3rd October 2025

Friendly staff greet you with a smile always. They are helpful both on the phone and in person. Ben was superb and again always greets us with a smile and always makes my daughter feel at ease. We would highly recommend Mayhill!

LA

Lynne Allbutt

Excellent service as always - by everyone at the Mayhill Dental Centre.. I am always reassured by their professionalism and uplifted by their personal touch. If you have teeth (or not) the Mayhill Dental Clinic is for you!

1st October 2025

very skilled dentists, very pleasant atmosphere, helpful and efficient staff on reception. I've been coming for a good number of years so it's good to see the same dentist

30th September 2025

H

27th September 2025

I felt I was in safe and caring hands. I dislike going to the dentist with a passion but although my treatment was unpleasant, I was more relaxed than I expected

26th September 2025

Great location for ease of parking etc very helpful and welcoming staff. Knowledgable clinician who fully explained the process and who talked through what they were doing.

25th September 2025

Personal service good listening skills

25th September 2025

Great care taken by Tracy

25th September 2025

Staff friendly,and professional and make you feel welcome .

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