When you have a toothache, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. Your gums throb, you have a sharp shooting pain in your tooth and your head is in a swoon.
The best advice is to see your dentist right away. But what if your dentist’s office is closed or you are away from home? Here are some tips for short term pain relief that work so well, you’ll think they are magic.
1. Rinse with Saltwater
One of the best things to do for a toothache is to rinse your mouth and around your tooth, with warm saltwater.
Take a ½ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm (not hot) water. Stir to dissolve the salt in the water, and then swish and gargle it around your mouth for 1 minute. Be sure to spit it out. Do not swallow it. Repeat as often as necessary.
The salt acts like a natural disinfectant and can even help dislodge bits of food that might be stuck in your tooth, causing the pain.
2. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea also makes a good mouth rinse and can help soothe a painful toothache.
Make yourself a regular cup of peppermint tea, remove the tea bag and allow it to cool. Once cool, place the teabag inside your mouth and press it against the area of your toothache.
You can also use the cooled peppermint tea as a mouth rinse to get some relief. Rinse with the cooled peppermint tea in your mouth for 1 minute. It will have a pleasant cooling sensation that will help with the pain.
3. Cold Compress
If your mouth or gums are swollen, a cold compress can help bring some relief. Hold a bag of ice or frozen peas to the size of your face with the toothache.
Ice helps reduce inflammation and can also bring some pain relief. It is also recommended to use cold compress to reduce swelling after Etobicoke dental implants. If any swelling and inflammation continues, immediately consult your dentist.
4. Ice
Ice can also be used to relieve pain by placing it on other parts of your body. Researchers have found that massaging the web between the thumb and index finger with ice helps reduce pain by 50% in most patients. You need to put the ice on the same side hand as your toothache.
5. Over the Counter Pain Relievers
If you have dental pain, you can treat it with over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory properties and is one of the most common pain relievers. Remember to swallow the medication – do not put it on or against your tooth!
6. Over the Counter Anesthetics
There are many pain-relieving gels available that can help numb the pain of a sore tooth. Many of these contain benzocaine. These are only meant as a short term solution, and with any dental pain, you should see your Brampton dentist as soon as possible.
7. Clove Oil
Clove Oil is a natural remedy that can help with tooth pain and also acts to reduce inflammation. Put a few drops of clove oil onto a cotton ball and hold it against your tooth or sore gums. You can also make a rinse by putting a few drops into a glass of warm water and swishing with it.
8. Garlic
Garlic is a natural fighter of infection, and has antimicrobial properties. It may not help your breath, but it can keep your tooth from getting infected. To use, simply place a clove next to your tooth and bite down, or place chopped pieces next to your sore tooth.
Bottom line, if you have a toothache, get to your dentist right away. If you can’t, these 8 remedies can help relieve your tooth pain in the short term.
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