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

How will the dentist treat my toothache?

Your Envisage Dental Basingstoke 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 Envisage Dental Basingstoke 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 Envisage Dental Basingstoke in Basingstoke, Hampshire as soon as possible. Give us a call on 01256 461888.

Meet the team

Emma Ryman

Dentist

GDC NO. 83372

Helen Fossey

Dentist

GDC NO. 76201

Anita Puthran

Dentist

GDC NO. 157603

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Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Envisage Dental Basingstoke. 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

792 Reviews

5.0

15th August 2025

I was put at ease by having everything explained to me before the procedure. Tooth extraction went seemlessly. I would highly recommend Helen and her assistant Georgia, and of course the friendly receptionists.

JL

Jasmine Latchman

I'm so impressed with the level of care and professionalism from all of the team on my first visit. Thank you to Emma for a positive experience, and calming my nerves. I highly recommend Envisage.

14th August 2025

The team there are great and Helen is a fantastic dentist. However your new 3rd party agency hounded me repeatedly via phone, text and email and it made me reconsider my dentist despite how very very good the team their are..please replace your CRM agency

MH

Marisa Hipperson

Staff very welcoming and professional. Would highly recommend.

13th August 2025

Feeling comfortable coming back for treatment, something I’ve only done since ursine Envisage

13th August 2025

Friendly staff, informative, always happy to help and advice on any issues or questions you may have. Can’t recommend them highly enough to anyone!

JF

James Forsyth

All staff are kind and friendly, very welcoming atmosphere, would recommend to anyone!

JB

Jane Barrett

Emma is very friendly and takes time to discuss things. Very happy with the service provided.

LT

leila tari

*I had my dental check-up today and I couldn't be happier with the experience. The dentist was incredibly professional, gentle, and thorough. All the staff were welcoming, friendly, and made me feel completely at ease. Highly recommended for anyone looking for excellent dental care. Thank you!*

B

Bríd

All of the team were incredibly friendly and helpful and it was a very relaxed experience. I had put off going to the dentist for a long time and I’m so glad I chose Envisage as my new dental practice. I look forward to investing in my smile :)

NY

New York

I completed a tooth whitening treatment with Helen and had a great experience from start to finish. Helen was very friendly and took the time to answer all my questions, which helped me feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. The treatment was easy to follow, with only minor sensitivity, I was just more aware of my teeth at times. Over the course of the treatment my teeth went from shade A3 to B1 (3 shades whiter). I'm really happy with the results and would recommend Helen for anyone considering professional tooth whitening.

7th August 2025

The staff are friendly and professional, the premises and equipment are clean and I always receive clear feedback from the dentist and hygienist.

5th August 2025

Lovely, caring practice who really go the extra mile looking after their patients. Always friendly and professional.

5th August 2025

I have been attending this surgery since 1978 and although I live an hour away, I am so satisfied with the surgery that I would not change to another surgery although I have one only a mile away

30th July 2025

Professional and friendly service by all members of the team

AC

Arjun Chauhan

Very friendly service, have been a regular here for years.

26th July 2025

Kartik my dentist has been very helpful in all of my appointments. Helped me make an informed decision on what treatment to take for my clear aligners. Every appointment I've made has gone without any issues. I am contacted for cancellations if I want to bring my appointment sooner, and they have always been accommodating.

TM

Tony Maru

Friendly professional practice

24th July 2025

Amanda Byrne, the hygienist, is always very pleasant and calming. She takes time to explain each process and you are not rushed. Very happy with her.

24th July 2025

Very friendly welcome from the reception team.Very thorough check up and discussion with my dentist.

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