There are few pains in this world like dental pain. If you have ever suffered from a really bad toothache caused by an infection, or even a damaged tooth as the result of an accident you will know just how excruciating and debilitating the pain can be. There are a couple of main reasons why dental pain is so bad. Firstly, the pain is right inside your head and there is little you can do to relieve it (or at least it seems that way). Secondly, dental pain is caused by the aggravation of the dental nerve, which is located at the centre of the tooth. This is a very sensitive nerve that is connected to other nerves in the head.

When suffering from dental pain it may seem like there is no end to pain and no relief to be had. This is not true. Although the pain may be severe there are several things you can do to make it better. The first thing you must always do when suffering from any kind of dental pain is to see a dentist as soon as possible. London dentists are on hand to treat dental emergencies whether during practice hours when they will fit you in, or out of hours when an on call dentist service will be available for emergencies. They will be able to perform any emergency dentistry that is required and offer pain relief in the form of medication.

Home relief from pain can include using a ice cube applied to the painful area. This will help to numb the pain as will taking over-the-counter pain medication such as paracetemol, but in all cases these are no substitute for seeing a dentist and receiving the necessary treatment.

When we get a dental emergency its generally in the middle of the night or on the weekend, and that`s the hardest time to find a dentist says a City of London dentist. Old wives tales come into play as to how to deal with a tooth ache, and surprisingly enough some of them work. Most of us have a first aid kit at home or at least a few plasters, but few of us have a dental first aid kit. Like the Scouts and the Girl Guides we should always be prepared for emergencies, so a dental kit would be handy. Tooth ache is best dealt with by applying heat to the enamel back and front, a warm tea bag can be gently applied and a little pressure will hold it in place. Oil of Cloves is probably one of the better pain reliefs that is available, but it’s not the kind of thing that we easily find lying around the house. Apply this oil with a baby bud and let the oil drip from the top all over the tooth, it will give your gums a burning sensation, but it won`t actually burn you. Whatever you do don`t solve the problem by drinking lots of alcohol, alcohol isn`t a pain killer and is dangerous when taken in large quantities. By all means swish some brandy or whisky, if its handy and you have nothing else, around the tooth in question, just allow it to sit around the pain zone and that too will help, but no swallowing.

If you have ever suffered from a toothache you will know just how sensitive your teeth can be if the central part is exposed to stimuli. Teeth that are cracked or brittle can be particularly vulnerable to this and may need urgent attention from a dentist to prevent it causing you a great deal of pain. The best way to protect brittle and damaged teeth from further complications is to use a dental crown to act as a protective barrier.

Dental crowns can be made from a number of different materials but most commonly are manufactured from metal or ceramic, usually porcelain. They are skilfully fabricated to resemble the size and shape of the real teeth so as to minimise the aesthetic impact of an artificial tooth.

Once the crown has been manufactured, and with modern computerised technology this is now possible in just one appointment, it then needs to be fixed in the mouth. This usually involves the City of London dentist removing some of the existing enamel so that the crown can fit comfortably over the existing tooth.

The crown is cemented in place using composite dental bonding. It may be necessary for the dentist to etch the surface of the existing tooth so that the bonding has a greater grip. The crown will cover all parts of the tooth exposed above the gum line to form a complete barrier to sources of heat and cold, as well as bacteria and infection.

A dental crown can last for many years if it is properly maintained and cleaned by brushing and flossing but can easily be replaced in the future.

The first thing you must do when you have an excruciating tooth ache is to take 2 paracetemol, advises a Central London dentist. That will not only take some of the sensation away, but it will keep you calm. Like all things in life you should keep the number of the emergency dental service available in your area handy, don’t wait until it happens to find it out. Oil of Cloves will also take away the pain by reacting with the tooth and producing heat, this is a pain reliever. In the event that you don`t have any Oil of Cloves, an `old wives tale` cure is to mix salt and pepper into a past using a droplet of water, then putting this on the tooth, always use a baby bud if you can. You will need to be previously registered with a dentist in order to get emergency services, again it is a case of doing this now to avoid a problem before it occurs, NHS Direct is on 0845 4647, call them now and register with a local dentist. The dentist will deal with the problem, don`t waste your time going to an emergency clinic at a hospital as they cannot help you; neither can your doctor except to give you a strong pain killer only available on prescription. Your dental surgery should have an emergency out of hours service, most do, so also know where the surgery is if you have just registered and haven`t visited yet. One of the most common dental emergencies that require an extraction, is an impacted tooth that has become infected by trapped food debris, this is also known as a Wisdom Tooth. If you have one then get it dealt with before it becomes infected, as prevention is always preferable to a cure.

Pulpitis is the inflammation of the dental pulp, which includes the dental nerve and blood supply located within the tooth. If the pulp becomes inflamed or infected it can be the source of very nasty pain.

Pulpitis is caused by bacterial infection of the dental pulp, initially caused by dental cavities. Once the infection penetrates to the centre of the tooth it will cause a toothache that may be intense and intermittent or dull and throbbing and can be very severe. These are known as acute and chronic pulpitis and are caused by slightly different areas of the pulp becoming infected.

Pulpitis can also be classified as reversible and irreversible. This distinction is made by the level of inflammation that has occurred and whether it is possible for the inflammation to disappear on its own or whether it will need dental treatment. Reversible pulpitis is more mild inflammation caused by dental caries that should heal naturally. Irreversible pulpitis will need a treatment called a root canal to remove the infection and bring an end to the pain. However, it is important that if you suspect an inflammation of any sort has occurred, that you see a City of London dentist as soon as possible. This is because even if the pain has disappeared, it may be as the result of the death of the dental nerve, rather than the inflammation receding naturally.

If the infection is deemed to be irreversible, your dentist will need to carry out a root canal, a procedure with a fearsome reputation, but one that may be slightly undeserved. A well-performed root canal should be no more painful than a filling or crown.

Grinding your teeth during sleep may be the result of stress in your life, that is manifesting itself subconsciously during the night. Alternatively it might be due to an interruption in bite caused by a change in the position of teeth. This is very common for patients who have recently lost teeth in an accident or due to decay.

Subconscious teeth grinding is known as bruxism and can result in painful jaw conditions called TMJ. It can also grind down tooth enamel causing major dental problems and very painful toothaches. When the enamel of a tooth is lost it can expose the very sensitive part of the tooth to the extremes of temperature experienced when eating and drinking. It can also expose the central part of the tooth to infection.

Bruxism can also be a major reason behind bad sleep and stress which in turn makes the situation worse. It is important therefore to see a City of London dentist if you or a partner grinds their teeth during sleep. Dentists can design and fit special mouth guards that prevent teeth grinding during sleep. They may also be able to restore your bite so that there is no muscular stress causing the grinding.

Bruxism or teeth grinding can be a hard and unpleasant habit to break but dentists are there to help you get the pain-free nights sleep you deserve.

Maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene is crucial in the war against tooth decay and gum disease. Just a few minutes of brushing and flossing each day could save you a lifetime of costly and painful dental treatment.

When it comes to oral hygiene, prevention really is better than cure. Dental problems are very easy to prevent but often very difficult to cure. Dentists recommend that patients brush their teeth twice a day for three minutes using an appropriate brush and toothpaste. This helps to prevent the build up of plaque on the tooth enamel. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria, decaying food particles and other debris. It breaks down the enamel causing cavities to develop, which if left unchecked will eventually penetrate to the root of the tooth causing toothache, abscesses and even tooth loss.

Flossing helps to remove plaque from between the teeth which is very hard for regular toothbrushes to reach. It allows you to clean below the gum line which is also hard to clean with a normal brush. This can be significant in the prevention of gingivitis, or gum disease as it is more commonly known.

Brushing and flossing are the front line defence against all forms of dental decay and disease and their importance cannot be underestimated. However, it is important, no matter how much of a fervent brusher you are, to keep up six-monthly check-ups with the dentist. Even patients with good standards of cleaning are susceptible to tooth decay, and a dentist will be able to spot the first signs of any problems.

Keeping teeth and gums clean can also have the added advantage of keeping your breath fresh. Flossing removes trapped food particles from between the teeth which are the cause for over 90 per cent of all cases of halitosis. Using tongue cleaners and inter-dental brushes can also help to keep your mouth free of bacteria. A London dentist will be able to offer you advice on which brushes are most suitable for your teeth and give further instruction on the best methods of maintaining good oral hygiene.

Have you developed a sudden, “ooh, ah ouch”? It can happen to any one, at a wedding, during your honeymoon, at picnics or late at night! Imagine a sore throbbing ball of pain vibrating your teeth and your head with no recourse for relief! It’s too late to find a local London dentist and you don’t have any medication! What can you do?Dental pain can be severe and crippling and you do need to get yourself checked as soon as possible but here are a few tips for you to follow when you can’t find a darned dentist nearby.

• Most toothaches are caused by retained food debris. Swish a little warm water around your mouth to dislodge the debris and you could get a little relief.
• Alternatively soak a little yarrow in a teaspoon of warm water and soak a pad of cotton in the place the cotton pad against the sore tooth.
• You can try common painkillers like acetaminophen or mefenamic acid to soothe toothache but you need to find specific doses and these are not indicated in pregnant women and people with allergies. You can also try local anesthetic gels like ORAGEL to soothe local area but the amount of relief you get is really variable.
Please do remember that the more the tooth aches before you visit the dentist the more difficult it gets for the dentist to treat.