Unfortunately, toothache won’t go away by itself. If you are experiencing pain or inflammation, it’s important to make an appointment to see your dentist straight away. If the pain is severe, you should book an emergency dental appointment.

During your appointment with us we will talk through your symptoms, provide a thorough examination and advise on the best treatment for the cause. You can take steps to prevent tooth decay by eating a low-sugar diet, keeping a good oral care routine by brushing and flossing twice a day, and going for regular check-ups.

Your enamel is precious and you can treat it as such with a few simple protective measures. Ultimately acid is your enamel’s number one enemy, so drinking water after eating and chewing sugar-free gum with help to re-neutralise the pH in your mouth and prevent erosion. If you can, avoid or reduce your intake of carbonated drinks – these culprits strip vital minerals from your enamel. A soft toothbrush is kinder to your gums and less abrasive on soft or weakened enamel, and make sure you leave half an hour to an hour after eating before picking up your toothbrush.

The first step in treating sensitive teeth is to start looking after your enamel and avoid very acidic food and drink, especially fizzy drinks. You can make simple changes to your diet to help, such as eating more dairy – like milk, cheese and natural yoghurt – and incorporating more fibre-rich foods and vegetables. Green tea and black tea have also been found to help maintain the natural pH in your mouth. You should also check the ingredients in your toothpaste. Many contain the ingredient sodium lauryl sulphate, which can irritate sensitive teeth.

Usually sensitivity from tooth whitening is temporary, and should subside. Wear to teeth from grinding and clenching can usually be addressed with a mouth guard. Lampros or Rachel will be able to diagnose why you are experiencing sensitive teeth, and talk you through options and treatments.

You can manage your mouth ulcers at home by using a soft brush to clean your teeth and applying a protective paste to speed up the healing process. If you have had a mouth sore for more than three weeks, are experiencing recurrent mouth ulcers or can see unusual white patches on the surface, make an appointment to see your dentist. Your body has ways of alerting you to problems, and these may be a sign of a bacterial infection, mouth cancer, or another issue such oral herpes (the herpes simplex virus) that may require treatment.

Gum disease is not usually painful, so keep an eye out for signs and symptoms. You may have gingivitis if your gums are red and swollen or bleed when you brush. Periodontitis will make itself known with symptoms such as gums visibly pulling away from the teeth, loose teeth, persistent bad breath or pus emanating from your gums. If you think you may be experiencing the signs of gum disease, make an appointment to see Sophie our hygienist. The quicker you treat gum disease, the better.