A toothache is characterized by mild to moderate pain around the teeth and in the jaws, indicating that there is an issue. When you have a toothache, the first thing you must do is try to get the pain under control. Then, schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Afroz Burges in Pearland, TX as soon as possible. She can help you determine the root cause of the pain and treat it.
In this article, we’ll offer some home remedies to help you deal with the pain until you can get to the dentist’s chair.
Toothache Home Remedies
Below we have listed 12 home remedies for toothaches. It is important to remember that, while these may ease the pain, they do not address the root of the problem. You will need to see the dentist to have the root cause of the toothache treated.
- Saltwater Rinse: When you have a toothache, one of the best things you can do is swish with warm saltwater. The ideal mix is ½ teaspoon of table salt to 8 oz of water. After swishing, spit it out- do not swallow. If you wish, you may use dental floss to remove any food debris around the sore tooth.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse: If you don’t want to use saltwater, you can use a hydrogen peroxide/water mix. Simply combine equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide. Rinse and spit- do not swallow peroxide.
- OTC Pain Relievers: For pediatric patients, dental professionals recommend acetaminophen. Adults can take naproxen or ibuprofen. Aspirin can also be used, but only if swallowed. You should never place it directly on your tooth or gums. It will not work and may harm the inside of your mouth.
- Cold Compress: If you have swelling, you can place an ice pack on your cheek for the first 24 to 36 hours. This can help ease the pain, especially if you’ve knocked a tooth loose or you have a chipped tooth. Swelling may also indicate an abscess, which is an infection deep in your tooth root. This can be serious and may spread to other parts of your mouth and face- and ultimately to other areas in your body. Signs of abscess include red gums and fever.
- OTC Anesthetics: OTC anesthetics are gels or liquids that can be applied right to the sore tooth and nearby gums for short-term relief. The active ingredient is benzocaine, which will numb the area for some time.
- Ice: Place some ice in your hand on the same side as the toothache, rubbing it in the space between your thumb and forefinger for 7 minutes or until it goes numb. Research indicates that this works because ice stops pain signals to the brain.
- Clove Oil: Clove oil numbs the pain, much like the benzocaine found in toothache liquids/gels. Simply soak a cotton ball and dab it on the area or rub it directly on the area.
- Garlic: When you crush a garlic clove, you release allicin, which is an oily liquid and a natural disease fighter. Some anecdotal studies indicate that it can relieve toothache pain, but the results are inconclusive. If you want to try it, you can place pieces of chopped garlic on your tooth or chew on a piece.
- Toothache Plant: The name indicates that this plant is ideal for easing toothache pain. This plant is found in various types all over the world. The oil in it is an ingredient in a variety of products. However, it’s unclear if this plant is suitable for dental pain.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract contains alcohol, which will numb the pain. Vanilla contains antioxidants that may promote healing. Use a cotton ball or your finger to apply a small amount to the affected area.
- Peppermint Tea: There is some anecdotal evidence that a cooled peppermint tea bag may relieve toothache pain.
Should You See an Emergency Dentist?
If you have a severe toothache that won’t go away with home remedies and it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it’s important to see an emergency dentist -
- Fever
- Pain lasting 2+ days
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Pain when you bite down
- Red gums
- Pus/discharge
- Swelling
Dr. Afroz Burges at Afroz Burges Family and Cosmetic Dentistry can handle all of your emergency dental situations. We understand that emergencies can happen at any time, not just during office hours. That is why we are available 24/7. Call us when you have a dental emergency.
If you have an unbearable toothache that can’t wait, call us right away. The first step is to get the pain under control. Then, we can move forward with treatment.
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