Toothache is unpleasant and sometimes an emergency. Read what you can do yourself, when to seek help right away and how to choose a good dentist.
Take paracetamol according to the leaflet, rinse gently with lukewarm water, cool the cheek from the outside and avoid hot, cold or sweet products. Do not put a painkiller on the gums. Always call your dentist for an appointment; the cause does not go away on its own.
Contact the dentist or the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost) immediately in case of swelling of the face or neck, fever, difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth, an accident or bleeding that will not stop. In case of shortness of breath: call 112.
Look for BIG registration, a clear quote, time for explanation and your own input, a good emergency arrangement, hygiene, experiences of other patients and preferably membership of the KNMT. A good dentist does not push you into unnecessary treatments.
Usually a cavity, an infection of the nerve or gums, a broken or cracked tooth, an erupting wisdom tooth or grinding. Sometimes the pain comes from the sinus.
Cooling the cheek and rinsing with lukewarm salt water can relieve it temporarily. They do not solve the cause, so a visit to the dentist remains necessary.
Many people find ibuprofen works well for toothache because it is anti-inflammatory, but it is not suitable for everyone (for example with stomach problems, kidney problems, asthma or pregnancy). Follow the leaflet and ask your pharmacist or GP if in doubt.
It depends on the treatment and the time: outside office hours a surcharge often applies. Ask about the costs when making the appointment. Outside opening hours you can go to the emergency dentist or the out-of-hours GP service.