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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 Sturminster Dental Care to see a dentist as soon as possible, rather than waiting for routine dental health review.

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your Sturminster Dental Care 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 Sturminster Dental Care 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 Sturminster Dental Care in Sturminster Newton as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01258 473397.

Dentist

Ian Mercer

Ian joined {{ practice_name() }} in January 2016. lan-qualified from Guys Hospital Dental School in 1991 and has spent much of his professional career in the Royal Army Dental Corps including operational commitments in many countries. lan left the army in 2012 after serving for 21 years. Ian is really enjoying being part of the team and providing the best care to all of our patients.

Ian Mercer
Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Sturminster Dental Care. 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…

Patient reviews

723 Reviews

5.0

6th October 2025

Efficient and friendly service

3rd October 2025

Highly professional and efficient. Excellent location and pleasant environment.

29th September 2025

Friendly knowledgeable team of professionals that make you welcome whatever time I’d day your appointment takes place.

27th September 2025

Staff that I see are very experienced, competent and friendly. Waiting room very comfortable and up to date magazines available to read whilst I waited for my wife, who also had an appointment following mine.

26th September 2025

It is the overall excellence of all aspects of the practice.

26th September 2025

good quality dental care in a well considered surrounding

25th September 2025

Emmanuel was looking at making my denture to make it more comfy...the appointment wasn't about the lost crown. He spotted that and came up with another option themat Gowtham had not offered. This was frustrating and upsetting as it was quite by chance that I saw Emmanuel!

EC

Emma-lee Chaney

Don’t even hesitate to join them — the level of professionalism and skill at Sturminster is exceptional, and it’s incredibly rare to find that these days. Your expectations of dental care will completely change. They truly care about you and your health, not about how much money they can make. Here’s my story if you’d like to read it (it’s a long one): A few years ago, Ian removed my wisdom tooth quickly and painlessly. Afterwards, I had a few hygienist appointments and honestly, they worked miracles. My teeth had never looked or felt that clean before — and the best part was that it didn’t cost me a fortune. When I later moved to Bournemouth, I started a long and frustrating journey trying to find a practice that matched the same standard of care. I ended up registering with four different practices, each time spending money and leaving disappointed. Most recently, I had trouble with my other wisdom tooth. After paying high fees at several Bournemouth practices, I was left feeling hopeless. One hygienist even stopped cleaning after just 20 minutes — unless I agreed to pay double to have my top teeth done too! The practice quoted me a staggering £1,500, claiming that only a specialist could remove my tooth. Eventually, after months the pain returned. I gave up and returned to Sturminster to see Ian — the same dentist who treated me years ago. Ian didn’t even charge me for the initial appointment, since it was just a quick check to confirm he could remove the tooth. And of course, he could. I wasn’t surprised at his skill, only at the fact that other dentists couldn’t (or wouldn’t) help, and that they tried to charge me £500, while Ian quoted me just £122. On top of that, Sturminster Dental Practice even posted antibiotics to me in Bournemouth to help with the pain while I waited for my treatment, since they’re understandably very busy. No other practice has ever treated me with such genuine care, without judgement, and with a real willingness to help. Since I last saw them in 2022, I’ve been to at least six different dentists and hygienists — and none have come close and some didn’t even help me a little. They just wanted money. When Ian greets you, you feel as ease. Excited to be there, and look forward to your problems going away. A massive thank you to this practice!

23rd September 2025

Professional friendly good clean environment. Felt totally at ease throughout my experience.

22nd September 2025

The service. The team. The cleanliness of the whole building. I cannot fault my experience with Sturminster Dental Care. I have been using this dentist for a few years after a period of not attending the dentist. They have made the experience smooth and pain free.

19th September 2025

Great communication. All staff so lovely make you feel part of a big family.

19th September 2025

Until Ian became my dentist I never liked going to the dentist, he is the only one I can honestly say I have complete confidence in.

18th September 2025

Extremely professional team and immaculate cleanliness of the facilities

18th September 2025

Perfection across the board. All the staff are exceptional.

18th September 2025

Expertise and friendlyness

17th September 2025

Had prepped my paperwork ready, thorough in making sure I knew the next steps

16th September 2025

Friendly staff nice waiting room with television,

15th September 2025

Professional and caring team.

12th September 2025

I have complete trust in my dentist and the other staff are always extremely helpful.

10th September 2025

I was very satisfied with the treatment and care I received at my appointment, as I always have been.

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