Dr. Samuel Awosolu
Most of us take the health of our teeth for granted. We visit the dentist for our regular cleanings and brush and floss when we are supposed to, but for the most part we don’t think about our oral health very often. That is, until you get a horrible toothache.
A toothache can be the result of several things, but chances are the first thing you want is some pain relief. It could be a cavity, or worse, an abscess. It might also be a cracked tooth or a problem with a previous filling. Whatever the cause, you can find relief instantly with some of the following treatment options.
Home remedies
There are a few home remedies that work and can make you more comfortable, but you really should contact your dentist first. A toothache can be a sign of hidden problems, so you definitely want to have your dentist check it out even if you find pain relief on your own. Home remedies tend to only band-aid the problem instead of getting to the root of it.
Salt water
Salt water is widely known to be incredibly cleansing. One home remedy for a toothache is to swish salt water around in your mouth. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a cup of boiling water. When the water cools in temperature (to at least warm) swish some around in your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. Do this as often as necessary. It will prevent swelling and cleans the toothache area.
Hydrogen peroxide
Just like salt water, you can rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide. This also cleans the gums around the problem tooth and will provide some pain relief. It will kill any bacteria and can help you manage the discomfort until you are able to see your dentist.
If you suspect the toothache is due to a cracked tooth or a loose filling, it’s suggested that covering it with a chewed up piece of sugar free gum or dental wax can act as a barrier until your dentist can fix the problem.
Spices
Believe it or not, some common household spices contain healing properties. Making a paste of salt and pepper and applying a small amount directly on the affected tooth can relieve some discomfort. If you are really brave, chewing a clove of garlic can help. Vanilla extract might help if you dab just a bit on the sore area a few times a day, helping to numb the area. You might not have clove oil on hand, but swishing with it is said to be another effective home remedy.
Ice
One of the most common home remedies is good old-fashioned ice. Even massaging the sore area with a very cold fingertip can help. A pack of cold ice on the cheek can help make your toothache feel better too. A word of caution though, if a toothache is caused by an exposed nerve, the extreme cold could make the pain worse instead of better.
While all of these home remedies will help alleviate discomfort, it is extremely important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to get to the root of the problem, even if the pain fluctuates and can be managed at home!
-carefreedental.com
