Toothaches are the absolute worst, especially when you are experiencing pain or discomfort in the middle of the night. When the pain becomes excruciating, it can debilitate your day-to-day activities. The tooth pain can even disturb your sleep, as you jolt awake at night from the discomfort in your gums.
Toothaches result from various factors, such as peaking wisdom teeth, infected gums, or, in worse cases, deep-rooted cavities. It is best to go to the emergency dentist to get to the root of the problem and receive proper professional treatment.
At times, you might be waiting on that dentist appointment and need something to alleviate the discomfort. Fortunately, there are some home remedies to help ease the pain.
6 Different Ways To Take Care of Your Toothaches
Here are six different ways to take care of your sore teeth:
1. Avoid sugary foods
If your teeth are already in pain, you may have become sensitized to most foods. It is best to avoid sugary foods and drinks. Sugar causes and worsens damage to the teeth, especially if one does not immediately brush and floss afterward.
Sugar also worsens cavities, as it causes and speeds up the process of tooth decay. Try to avoid processed and sugary foods like chocolate, candy, cake, and sweets in general.
It is also best to stay away from hard candies or sticky sweets, which can get caught between the teeth. Avoid drinking sugary or carbonated drinks and stick to drinking room temperature water instead.
2. Floss your teeth
A step commonly neglected in dental hygiene is flossing. Flossing is great for preventing cavities and keeping teeth free from bacteria, which can contribute to disease and cause cavities.
A lot of times, people brush their teeth two to three times a day but continue to suffer from cavities. Flossing helps because it cleans the spaces between the teeth, pulling out any food and plaque that brushing cannot reach.
Flossing can also be effective for existing toothaches. A lot of the time, tooth pain can be caused by food being stuck between the teeth, which causes the buildup of plaque and bacteria.
3. Use a saltwater rinse
Saltwater rinses are really helpful with balancing the pH balance in the mouth, creating an environment where harmful bacteria cannot thrive. According to professionals, a thorough saltwater rinse can help temporarily soothe a toothache.
4. Apply clove oil
Cloves are an age-old remedy used to relieve pain. Cloves are usually made into a pure concentrate called clove oil. Clove oil is great at providing temporary relief from a toothache because it contains a natural chemical called eugenol. The eugenol provides the effects of a natural anesthetic.
If you want to numb the pain for a while, try soaking a cotton swab in clove oil. Then, apply it to the area that is in pain. It usually takes five to ten minutes to feel the full effect of the clove oil setting in. It should feel like mild anesthesia. Apply it as frequently as needed.
5. Try a cold compress
Generally, it is a good idea to use a cold compress when in pain. The cold compress can induce a numbing effect to areas in pain, reducing any signs of swelling and inflammation.
For this remedy, cover some ice in a towel and apply it to the affected area for ten to twenty minutes. You can do this repeatedly throughout the day to ease the pain.
6. Visit a dentist
Although a lot of these remedies will alleviate some of the pain, these methods cannot be used as a permanent solution to the problem at hand. Tooth pain can lead to more serious problems over time, including dental decay and cavities.
When these conditions are left untreated, they can worsen over time. You may need oral surgery or even tooth extractions.
When you have a toothache, the best course of action is to book a dentist appointment as soon as possible before the condition worsens.
Final Thought
Taking care of toothaches involves both at-home remedies and seeking professional dental care. Home remedies such as rinsing with warm saltwater, applying a cold compress, using over-the-counter pain relievers, and avoiding hot or cold foods can provide temporary relief. However, it is important to schedule an appointment with a dentist to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the toothache, whether it be tooth decay, gum disease, or an abscess. Regular oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing, along with routine dental check-ups, can help prevent toothaches and maintain overall oral health.
FAQs
What are some common causes of toothaches?
Toothaches can have various causes, including tooth decay (cavities), gum disease, tooth fractures or cracks, dental abscesses, impacted wisdom teeth, dental trauma, sinus infections, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Identifying the specific cause is crucial for appropriate treatment.
How can I temporarily relieve toothache pain at home?
There are a few home remedies that may help provide temporary relief from toothache pain. These include rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater, applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area, taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages that may worsen the pain. However, it’s important to note that these remedies only offer temporary relief and should not replace professional dental care.
When should I see a dentist for a toothache?
It is generally recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible if you experience a toothache. Persistent or severe toothache pain, swelling, fever, foul taste or odor, difficulty swallowing, or other accompanying symptoms may indicate an underlying dental issue that requires professional treatment. A dentist can diagnose the cause of the toothache and provide appropriate treatment to address the underlying problem.
Can toothaches be prevented?
What are some preventative measures? While toothaches cannot always be completely prevented, good oral hygiene practices can help reduce the risk. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth, and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Additionally, maintain a healthy diet, limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages, and schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings to detect and address any potential dental issues before they worsen.
What treatment options are available for toothaches?
The treatment for a toothache depends on the underlying cause. Common treatments may include dental fillings for cavities, root canal therapy for infected or damaged tooth pulp, tooth extractions for severely damaged or impacted teeth, gum disease treatment, or prescribing antibiotics for dental infections. The specific treatment will be determined by your dentist based on a thorough examination and diagnosis of the toothache cause.