Toothaches can be a pain in the neck - or mouth, making you desperate to do anything to stop tooth pain. This pain can be very aggravating and debilitating, and it comes with the pesky realization that you have to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, toothaches often strike at the worst possible moment, such as in the middle of the night or when you are hundreds of miles away from your dentist. Fortunately, your pantry and medicine cabinets are full of products that can ease the pain for a few hours.
Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for about 20 minutes to relieve tooth pain, especially if a toothache is accompanied by swelling. Cold numbs the area and helps reduce inflammation, ensuring the swelling goes down.
Toothaches that are accompanied with a foul taste in your mouth or a mild fever could signal an infection. Ease the discomfort by swishing a mouthful of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution, then spit it out. Finally, rinse your mouth several times with water. Hydrogen peroxide will kill some of the bacteria that are causing the pain.
Add a teaspoon of salt to one cup of boiling water for a pain-killing mouthwash. Swish the water in your mouth for about thirty seconds before spitting it out. Repeat this every few hours for pain relief. The saltwater solution cleans the irritating debris inside your mouth while reducing swelling. Furthermore, this solution cleanses the area around your teeth and draws out some of the fluid that's causing the swelling. As a bonus, swishing salt water inside your mouth can also relieve sore throat pain.
Cloves are known for their numbing properties. This is because they contain a natural anesthetic known as eugenol. However, clove oil should be used cautiously. Pouring a generous amount onto the wound could actually worsen the situation. This is because it could get on your tongue or on sensitive gum tissues. For best results, put a few drops of clove oil onto a ball of cotton wool and place it against the affected tooth until the pain goes away. If you do not have clove oil, place some powdered clove or a whole clove on the affected tooth. Chew on the clove for a few minutes to release the oil, and keep it on top of the painful tooth for about thirty minutes.
Ginger is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, while cayenne is high in vitamin C and helps reduce inflammation. Furthermore, cayenne has a chemical known as capsaicin which blocks pain messages from getting to your brain. When equal parts of these two spices are combined, they help reduce the pain and the swelling. To create the paste, mix cayenne, ginger, and some water, Roll a cotton ball in the paste and place it on your tooth. Ensure the cotton ball does not come into contact with your tongue and gums. Leave it there until the pain begins to fade.
These remedies can reduce the discomfort of a toothache and help you sleep at night. However, they do not provide a solution to the root cause of the pain. After the pain subsides, remember to book an appointment with a dentist to treat any underlying problems.
Call (913) 553-5222 to schedule an appointment with IronHorse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in our Leawood dental office.
There is a lot of news regarding emergency dentistry and the Coronavirus COVID-19 disease these days. As the coronavirus continues to infect people around the globe, your dentist is concerned about your well-being. Most offices are not doing elective, non-emergency procedures right now. However, you can still make an appointment for urgent needs. If you…
An emergency dentist is a trained dental professional who focuses on treating oral injuries that occur when least expected. They are typically staffed at hospitals or dental urgent care centers so they can be available to patients who have experienced an emergent situation within their gums or teeth. Emergency dentists are not trained for one specific…
Wondering if a general dentist can offer tips for treating a toothache? General dentists are a great resource to utilize when looking for ways to remedy any type of pain in the oral cavity. When looking for more information on treating pain, it can also be helpful to know what causes toothaches to begin with. According…
Wondering when a general dentist would recommend a bridge for their patients? A healthy mouth is one that has all its teeth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are actually several negative consequences of missing some or all of your teeth. Common missing teeth problems include difficulty chewing, difficulty pronouncing certain words and…
Learning more about how dental implants work will help you when it comes to choosing a tooth replacement option. The entire implant placement process can take many months to complete, which means you need to make sure this is the right replacement option for you. One of the many reasons people who are missing teeth…
Everyone wants strong and healthy teeth, but not everybody wants to book dental appointments regularly. Studies have shown that aside from excellent oral hygiene, regular visits to the dentist for dental cleanings are vital for healthy and beautiful teeth. In this article, we will focus on five reasons to go for regular dental visits. Mouth…