So, you’re feeling a sharp, shooting, throbbing pain in your tooth, and your mouth is sore and tender. Ouch! You’ve got a toothache. When that’s the case, it’s important to be seen by a dentist who can examine and treat your toothache appropriately in order to avoid further damage to your teeth and gums. Still, we know that there can be a gap in the time between making an appointment and actually getting there.
Before your appointment, you will probably need relief for your toothache. Here are some temporary remedies that could possibly help to relieve some of your tooth pain. It’s important to note that even with these remedies, you’ll definitely need to have your tooth examined as soon as possible to avoid making the toothache worse.
Ways to get rid of tooth pain
- Use an Ice Compress – If the area of tooth pain is swollen, use a cold compress. This may help to reduce the swelling and numb the area. Gently press the compress there for about 10-15 minutes at a time. You can do this as often as you’d like.
- Keep Your Head Elevated – The reason toothaches get worse when you lie down is because the blood pressure to your head increases, exacerbating the tooth pain even more. Try sleeping or resting with your head propped up on pillows and blankets. You may want to consider sleeping in a chair if you have one that will help keep your head elevated.
- Take OTC Medication – Anti-inflammatory over-the-counter (OTC) medication like aspirin or ibuprofen may help to alleviate the pain and reduce swelling. Also, topical gels like benzocaine or toothache drops can be effective for numbing tooth pain. However, these OTC medications are only temporary solutions. Only a general dentist can identify and treat the source of the toothache problem.
- Rinse With Salt Water – Rinse your mouth with a glass of salt water. This won’t dull the pain, but it is nature’s healing agent and can help prevent infection and bacteria from spreading further in your mouth. To make the salt water rinse, use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water. Then take a few small sips and swish to rinse your mouth, but don’t swallow it. You can repeat this process a few times throughout the day to help relieve the soreness as well.
Though these home remedies are only temporary, they may be able to provide some relief. However, you should never consider them as replacements for professional dental care. If you do have a toothache, either minimal or major, it’s important for you to call Galliano Family Dentistry, and make an appointment to have the tooth evaluated and treated. Contact us today to get the care you need!