How To Get Rid Of Tooth Pain

The obvious solution to any type of toothache is to see a dentist as soon as possible. However, if you cannot see your dentist right away, you may have to live with some discomfort in the meantime. The following tips can help you minimize toothache while you wait for your dentist appointment.

Dealing With A Toothache

While your first goal may be to get rid of the toothache as quickly as possible, you must first consider the possible causes. When our body feels pain, it sends warning signals to our brain that something is wrong. Generally speaking, when you experience mouth pain, you have a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Mouth pain can be caused by a number of serious problems, including cavities, damaged fillings, broken teeth, gum infections, or tooth abscesses. If the latter happens, you could develop serious complications if left untreated. These complications may include loss of teeth and supporting bone. In some cases, the bacterial infection can spread to other parts of the body, leading to hospitalization or worse. For these reasons, it is important to seek emergency treatment if you develop any of the following signs of a dental abscess:

• Swollen gums
• Fever
• A swollen red bump in the mouth
• Blood or pus
• Throbbing pain
• A bad or salty taste in your mouth
• Swelling of the face or jaw
• Broken or badly chipped teeth

Tooth Pain Relief

If you are suffering from a toothache, you should make an appointment to see your local dentist for a checkup. While you wait for your appointment, there are a few steps you can take to help alleviate the pain including:

1. Apply a cold compress: The first is to reduce inflammation by placing an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables on one side of your face for 20 minutes at a time. Just be sure to use a piece of fabric as a cushion so you don’t accidentally damage your skin. This can help relieve the discomfort by reducing pain and reducing swelling.
2. Use a heat pack: You can relieve the discomfort by applying a hot pack to the side of your chin.
3. Take medication: You can also reduce swelling and dull pain signals by taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. If you are taking ibuprofen, try to continue taking it every few hours according to the product label. Avoid taking the drug once and then stopping when you feel relief or when pain and inflammation may return. If you don’t have ibuprofen, you can take acetaminophen instead; while this can help with pain, it’s not an anti-inflammatory.
4. Rinse with salt water: In addition to cold packs and over-the-counter medications, there are some natural remedies for toothache relief. You can gargle with warm salt water to clear the infection and provide temporary pain relief. Using salt water for a toothache can also help heal mouth sores and reduce inflammation. Be careful not to swallow the saltwater while rinsing.
5. Use peppermint tea bags: Peppermint tea bags are generally considered safe and have mild numbing properties that can temporarily relieve sore mouths. Most people like to chill their tea bags in the refrigerator for a few minutes before using them. You can also use the tea bag while it is still hot, and then wait for it to cool. This creates a pleasant feeling and helps you get rid of your toothache.
6. Try garlic: Garlic has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. In addition to killing potentially harmful bacteria, it also acts as a pain reliever. To use garlic for toothache, crush cloves to make a thick paste and apply it to the affected area. Alternatively, you can chew on a fresh clove of garlic and spit it out.
7. Try homemade thyme mouthwash: Thyme has powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties. For toothache relief, add a few drops of thyme essential oil to water to make a mouthwash. You can also dilute thyme essential oil with a few drops of water and place it on a cotton ball. Then apply it to the affected area.

How To Stop A Toothache Before It Starts

The best way to deal with a toothache is to avoid it in the first place. You can reduce your risk of oral health problems by thoroughly brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You should also eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary or sticky foods and drinks. You should be careful not to chew ice or hard objects that could break your teeth. Finally, make sure you schedule regular cleanings and checkups so you can address minor dental issues before they become painful problems requiring expensive treatment.

If you have a toothache, La Jolla Dental Image is ready to help you relieve the ache with general, restorative, and cosmetic treatments. Dr. Hamidy has over a decade of experience assisting patients in La Jolla and throughout San Diego with the latest treatments and technology. Schedule your consultation by calling 858-202-0481.