When you’re suffering from a toothache, you’ll want to put a stop to the pain as quickly as you can. Naturally, this means scheduling a visit with your emergency dentist so that they can identify the underlying problem and determine the best way to treat it. But what can you do to manage your discomfort while you’re waiting for your appointment? Below are 6 home remedies that can help temporarily alleviate your toothache until it can be treated by a professional.
1. Cold Compress
You can wrap a cold compress in a towel before holding it over the affected area. This can reduce your pain as well as any swelling that might be present around the tooth in question. Remember, it’s best to only use a cold compress for 15 minutes at a time.
2. Salt Water Rinse
Rinsing with salt water can help fight the inflammation associated with your toothache, and it can potentially loosen food particles that might be trapped between the teeth. For this home remedy, mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, then swish it around inside your mouth for about 15 to 30 seconds.
3. Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
You can temporarily reduce the pain in your tooth by taking ibuprofen or another type of over-the-counter pain reliever. When using any type of medication, be sure to pay close attention to the dosage instructions.
4. Tea Bags
If you apply a warm or cold tea bag to the area around the affected tooth, it can help numb the pain. Peppermint tea can be an excellent option since it can fight the harmful bacteria that may be contributing to your discomfort.
5. Keeping Your Head Raised at Night
Have you noticed that your tooth pain seems to get worse at night when you’re trying to go to sleep? This is because when you lie down, blood rushes to your head, thus putting additional pressure on your tooth. To combat this problem, it’s a good idea to keep your head elevated by sleeping on two or three pillows stacked on top of each other.
6. Clove Oil
Clove oil can be a highly effective option for fighting oral pain and inflammation. There’s more than one way to use clove oil to address a toothache. For example, you can put a drop of it directly on the tooth in question, or you can add it to a glass of water before swishing it around inside your mouth.
None of the remedies listed above should be considered a substitute for professional dental treatment. Nevertheless, they can still be excellent options for achieving temporary relief while you’re waiting for the care you need to put a stop to your pain for good.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Bagley studied dentistry at the University of North Carolina. He is very passionate about providing high-quality dental care to patients of all ages and helping them maintain beautiful, healthy smiles for life. At Next Door Dental, he offers same-day appointments for Greensboro patients who are suffering from toothaches and other dental emergencies that need to be treated as soon as possible. If there’s pain in your tooth that won’t go away, you can request an emergency appointment with Dr. Bagley by calling (336) 854-5850.