By Zane Josie
There are a lot of different ways to manage toothache. Some people have found that taking an over the counter medication works for them, while others have had luck with using a cold compress or iced tea bag. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 9 steps you can take to find out what will work best for your toothache.
What toothache remedies work best?
Whilst we would always recommend contacting a dentist should you suffer from any discomfort with your dental hygiene, there are a few remedies that can temporarily alleviate any toothache:-
-Ice Pack
– ibuprofen/paracetamol
– cold compress or iced tea bag on tooth area for 15 minutes. Repeat every hour. May help reduce inflammation and pain caused by a tooth infection, tooth abscess, cavity, etc. Use saltwater mouth rinse first on tooth area.
– warm compress on tooth area for 20 minutes
– use an old toothbrush to brush gently with baking soda paste (baking powder, salt, and a few drops of water)
– rinsing the mouth with hydrogen peroxide can help reduce pain or swelling associated with toothache, tooth abscess, tooth infection
– applying toothache oil (toothache relief essential oils) may soothe tooth pain and reduce tooth discomfort associated tooth abscess, cavity, or other dental problems.
– apple cider vinegar applied directly to the affected area with a cotton ball can help disinfect skin that has been punctured by teeth during tooth extraction
– tea tree oil can be used as a natural toothache remedy. Dilute with water and apply to toothache with a cotton ball
– clove oil is another popular natural toothache remedy. Rub a few drops of clove oil on the gums near the toothache
– chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy can help reduce toothache
– eating spicy foods is another popular home remedy for tooth pain. The capsaicin in spicy food helps numb the nerve endings near the tooth, reducing tooth pain
Facial swelling
Facial swelling can be a side effect of tooth pain.
According to Chetan from Mola Dental “Some people do not experience any tooth sensitivity when they have a toothache, while others find that even warm or cold foods can cause them discomfort.”
When experiencing tooth damage, it is important to visit your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further complications from arising.
Should antibiotics be prescribed?
It is important to visit your dentist if the toothache persists for more than a day or two, especially if the pain is accompanied by fever, swelling of the face or jaw, or drainage from around the tooth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is likely that you have an infection and antibiotics will be prescribed.
Sharp pain when biting
In some cases, toothaches may be caused by other issues such as grinding your teeth at night (bruxism), gum disease, or tooth decay. In these cases, toothaches can be treated using over the counter medications or by a dentist.
Tooth sensitivity
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, it is likely that the toothache is caused by a cavity. A dentist will need to treat the tooth to stop the pain.
Pain/bleeding after tooth extraction
It is normal to experience some pain and bleeding after tooth extraction. Rinsing with warm salt water can help to reduce these symptoms.
If the pain or bleeding persists, contact your dentist.
It is important to take care of the wound caused by tooth extraction to prevent infection.
Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are often caused by tooth decay. If you have a toothache accompanied by mouth ulcers, visit your dentist for treatment options.
Wisdom tooth pain
Wisdom tooth pain is often caused by the tooth becoming impacted. A dentist will need to remove the tooth to stop the pain.
If toothache persists…
There are a lot of different ways to manage toothache, and what works for one person may not work for another. If the toothache persists, it is important to visit your dentist to find out the cause and receive treatment.
