The best option to use when you feel any form of dental pain is to see your dentist immediately, but when this is not possible, you may need to get remedies to soothe the pain while preparing to see your dentist. As you read on, you would know proven ways to minimise tooth pain while you wait for an appointment with your dentist for a permanent solution.
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The first thing that comes to mind when you feel tooth pain is getting treatment to relieve the pain as soon as possible, but you need to consider the cause of the pain. When you experience pain in any part of your body, it means the body sends a message to your brain that something is wrong. If you experience any dental pain, it is generally a sign that something is not right, and you need to identify and treat the problem immediately.
Oral pain results from different dental issues, such as a damaged filling, infected gums, an abscessed tooth, tooth decay, or fracture. These dental problems may cause further complications if left untreated for long.
The complications that may arise include losing the supporting bone or tooth, spreading the bacterial infection to other body parts, leading to sepsis and hospitalisation. It is best to seek emergency dental care when you experience any of these symptoms of an abscessed tooth to avoid further complications;
Regardless of the cause of your dental pain, ensure you visit your dentist for a thorough examination.
If your toothache does not result from a severe underlying dental problem, you can try these tooth pain relief home remedies while you wait to see a dental professional.
Two common ways are available to stop or minimise toothache. The first method is trying to reduce the inflammation, while the other involves interrupting the signal sent to your brain by the injury.
Using a cold compress will help reduce the inflammation. You can achieve this by placing a bag of frozen vegetables or a cold pack on the affected side of your face for about 20 minutes. Ensure you use a piece of cloth as a buffer, so you do not damage your skin. The cold compress will help reduce pain and discomfort.
Taking an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen can help reduce sharp pain and swelling. You can take the medication every couple of hours, as indicated on the label. Ensure you take the medication even when you feel a little relief to prevent the pain and inflammation from worsening.
Acetaminophen is a good alternative if you do not have ibuprofen, but it is not an anti-inflammatory medication.
Asides from anti-inflammatory medication and cold compress, you can use other natural ways to reduce toothache. Using warm saltwater to rinse your mouth can clean the infection and provide temporary pain relief. It can also reduce inflammation and heal wounds in the mouth if you do not swallow the saltwater while rinsing your mouth.
Placing a hot pack on your jaw area will help reduce the discomfort caused by the toothache. If a hot pack is not available, you make it by filling a clean sock, tied at one end, with rice, then place the sock in a microwave and heat for some minutes. The heat will block the signal sent to the brain from your mouth.
Recent research suggests that acupressure may help reduce tooth pain as it causes the body to release endorphins that play a role in pain reduction. Applying acupressure on specific body parts could help relieve oral discomfort. However, ensure you perform proper research before trying acupressure to alleviate your toothache.
Peppermint tea bags are known to have a mild numbing effect that can relieve oral pain for a short while. Some people prefer to cool the peppermint tea bags in a freezer before using them, while others apply it warm on the affected area. The sensation is usually pleasing and could help you relax and take your mind off the ache.
Most people have been using garlic because of its medicinal properties. Garlic has an anti-bacterial property and relieves pain. Crush a clove of garlic to form a sticky paste, then apply it to the affected area. You can also chew the garlic, then spit it out after a while to relieve the pain.
Guava mouthwash has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which helps sterilise wounds and reduce pain. You can boil crushed guava leaves in water to make a guava mouthwash or chew the fresh leaves.
Over the years, people have used clove oil to treat dental pain. It reduces inflammation and oral pain. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural antiseptic for sterilising mouth wounds. You can apply a small amount of clove oil on a clean cotton ball, then dab on the inflamed area or dilute the clove oil using a few drops of water.
Thyme has antioxidants and constituents which help to kill bacteria. You can use thyme to alleviate your toothache by adding drops of thyme essential oil to water to make a mouthwash. Alternatively, use a cotton ball to absorb the thyme mouthwash and dab the affected area.
If you visit your dentist because you have a toothache, the dentist will examine your teeth and review your medical history, then ask some questions about the ache, such as when it started, the severity, what relieves or worsens the pain and where you feel the pain,
Your dentist will also examine your gum and other relevant areas and perform an x-ray and other tests to know the exact cause of the ache. When your dentist finds the underlying cause of the toothache, you will get a suitable treatment.
If the ache results from a tooth nerve infection, you may need a root canal treatment, but your dentist may fill the affected area if you have a cavity. You may have to take antibiotics if the area is infected. Some dentists use lasers and other treatments to reduce pain and inflammation.
The severity of the underlying problems will determine whether you will get immediate treatment or wait for some days after your exam. Still, your dentist will prescribe some pain medications to reduce the discomfort during the wait.
Preventing a toothache is a better alternative to managing and treating the ache. You can prevent toothache by having good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of dental health issues, which may cause pain. Brushing your teeth a minimum of two times daily and flossing everyday will help keep your teeth clean.
Ensure you have a healthy and balanced diet and avoid sticky and sugary foods. Chewing on hard foods can damage your teeth and result in tooth pain, so avoid these foods. Be sure to visit a dentist for your regular check-ups and dental cleaning. Identifying a dental issue on time will ensure you get the right treatment to prevent further damage that may cause toothache.
If you experience an intense toothache, ensure you book an emergency dentist appointment to identify the cause of the pain and get immediate dental care. You can visit Emergency Dentist London or call us on 020 7183 2793 for your dental emergency.
