Most people have experienced a toothache at one time or another during their lifetime. They can be distracting if you are trying to proceed with your daily routine and sometimes, they are agonizing! You probably can already guess that the best course of action is to see your dentist. If you are experiencing a fever, throbbing pain, swelling in the face, or other signs of infection, you should seek care from your emergency dentist as soon as possible. However, if you’ve ruled out the possibility of an urgent dental emergency and are unable to get to the dentist right away, there are some steps you can take to relieve the discomfort you are feeling until you can get treatment.
Cold Compress
By applying an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables to the side of your face that is experiencing the pain, you can numb the discomfort you are feeling. Be sure to wrap the compress in a towel or cloth so you don’t accidently damage your skin. Do this in 20-minute intervals.
Saltwater Rinse
A natural remedy that has shown to be affective against toothaches is rinsing your mouth with warm, saltwater. This helps to reduce inflammation and speeds up the healing process of wounds in the mouth. To make this rinse, add ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
Anti-Inflammatory Pain Medication
You can reduce swelling and blunt pain signals by taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. Make sure that you are taking the medication as instructed. Acetaminophen can also help reduce pain, but it isn’t an anti-inflammatory medicine.
Peppermint Tea Bags
This is effective because peppermint tea bags contain mild numbing properties that can ease pain for a short period of time. Place the teabag directly on the area where you are experiencing pain. Hold it against the tooth for several minutes until the pain lessens.
Hot Pack
If the area of discomfort is your jaw, you can reduce pain by applying a hot pack. Placing it on the side of your jaw can lessen pain by interrupting signals from your mouth to your brain. If you don’t already have a heat pack, you can easily create one by filling a clean sock with rice and tying the end. Place it in the microwave for a couple minutes and voila! You have your very own, homemade hot pack.
Clove Oil
This remedy has been used to treat toothaches for a long time. It can reduce inflammation and numb oral pain. This is because it contains a natural antiseptic known as eugenol. Apply a small amount of the oil onto a clean cotton ball and dab it onto the area. If it seems to be too potent, you can dilute it with a few drops of water.
Garlic
Garlic has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. In order to use it to relieve a toothache, crush up a clove of garlic and make a sticky paste. Next, apply it to the area where you feel pain.
Until you are able to get to your dentist for care, give some of these a try in order to reduce pain. Some of them may prove to be effective.
About the Author
Dr. Joshua Kuykendall provides a wide variety of services, including emergency dental care, at his practice in Spring, TX. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and has pursued advanced training in a wide variety of specialties. Dr. Kuykendall is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. For more information or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit his website or call (281) 353-9797.