A toothache can disrupt your day, but an emergency toothache can do far worse. The kind of relief that may work for you depends on the severity of your condition. In this post, we’ll outline 10 home remedies you can do for temporary toothache relief. For advanced treatment options, consult your emergency dental care provider right away.
1 Take Oral Pain Reliever
For quick and easy relief, you will want to check your medicine cabinet for pain relievers such as Advil or Tylenol. Just be sure to take the recommended dosage. Contact your emergency dentist immediately, if you don’t get relief after taking 2 or 3 doses.
2 Apply Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress will numb the affected area, thereby relieving some of the pain and swelling. All you have to do is wrap a bag of ice with a piece of cloth. Place this in the affected area for around 15 minutes and repeat the process every 30 minutes. This helps especially when you’re trying to sleep at night.
3 Elevate Your Head
Blood flowing through the head during an emergency toothache can worsen the pain. So, whenever you rest or sleep, add an extra pillow to your head to help with the pain.
4 Gargle With Saline Water
Saline or salt water has natural antibacterial properties that help reduce the swelling of an emergency toothache. Gargling with saline water kills the bacteria, protects your teeth from infection, and removes any food particles stuck between your gums and teeth.
5 Use Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can neutralize acid where bacteria live. If you have a baking soda at home, mix it with water and gently rub the paste it creates onto your tooth and gums. This should give you temporary relief from excruciating toothache pain.
6 Chew Garlic Clove
Garlic is another natural toothache reliever you can easily find at home. It has very strong antibacterial properties that kill the bacteria that cause toothache and cavities. Chew a clove of garlic and let it sit around the affected tooth to relieve pain. If the taste is too strong for you, you may resort to other types of home remedies for tooth pain.
7 Use Toothache Gels And Ointments
Over-the-counter numbing gels and ointments are now available in many local pharmacies. Their main ingredient, benzocaine, can numb the affected area and helps reduce the pain. These, however, aren’t suitable for kids as they can accidentally ingest them.
8 Swish Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea can help reduce your toothache pain due to its cooling and numbing properties. It also contains natural antioxidants and antibacterial compounds to help prevent infection. Swish a cooled peppermint tea around your mouth for pain relief. Make further use of the peppermint tea bag by patting it down to the affected area.
When Should You See An Emergency Dentist?
The abovementioned home remedies for emergency toothache only give temporary relief. Thus, it is of utmost importance to see a dentist ASAP! Your emergency dentist will know if antibiotics, a root canal procedure, or other treatments are necessary. Give us a call at (866) 519-2247 to get immediate help.
