What is the best remedy for a toothache?
Throbbing, radiating pain and headaches from a toothache can interfere with your daily activities and make life miserable. Although it’s critical to see your dentist as soon as possible, there are some things you can do at home to ease your pain. These tips for the best toothache relief can help keep you comfortable until you see your dentist.
What Causes Toothaches?
According to the CDC, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, and the number one cause of toothaches. Decay is often preventable – practicing a good oral hygiene routine and seeing your dentist in St. Pete for regular checkups and cleanings can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and ward off toothaches. Although decay is a major cause of tooth pain, there are other reasons you may have a toothache, including:
- A damaged or lost filling or crown
- Dental infection or abscess
- Trauma to the teeth, mouth, or jaw
- Erupting wisdom teeth
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Gum disease
- Debris stuck between teeth or gums
- Pressure due to a sinus infection
Saltwater Rinse
Swishing with salt water a few times a day and after meals can help keep your mouth clean and relieve pain until you visit your St. Petersburg dental office. The mix is 1/2 teaspoon table salt or sea salt in 8 ounces of water and gently swish for 30 seconds. Gently flossing around the tooth that’s hurting can remove any debris or food that may be lodged between the teeth or under the gum.
OTC Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen provide the best toothache relief. Aspirin isn’t recommended, as it can upset your stomach and make you more prone to bleeding. Don’t listen to the old wives tale that aspirin is effective for pain if you rub it on your tooth or gums—it can actually cause tooth erosion and damage gums.
Cold Compress
Putting an ice pack on your cheek or jaw in the area where your tooth hurts can help assuage pain and swelling. If you’re experiencing swelling or fever, see your dentist right away. Swelling can be a sign of an abscess, which usually means that there’s an infection in the tooth root or gum. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other teeth, your jaw, and even cause life-threatening conditions like a blood infection. A cold compress can also provide effective tooth pain relief for teeth that are chipped or knocked loose.
Pain-Relieving Gels & Liquids
OTC pain-relieving gels you find in the drugstore contain benzocaine, a numbing agent that temporarily alleviates your pain. Keep in mind that although they help, these products not a substitute for proper dental treatment and are intended for short-term use.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is a natural remedy that provides some of the best toothache relief you’ll find. It’s still used in dentistry when a dentist places a sedative filling, which is used to soothe a tooth nerve that’s been aggravated by decay or damage. Dab a little on your finger and rub it directly on the painful area, or soak a piece of cotton and gently hold it against the tooth and gum.
Garlic
Garlic oil contains allicin, which is a natural antimicrobial that may provide tooth pain relief as well. Crush a garlic clove to release the oils and place it in the painful area for a few minutes. Although it’s safe to use, leaving a garlic clove in your mouth too long can burn the delicate tissues of your mouth, so use it sparingly and with caution.
While these remedies provide some of the best toothache relief around, ignoring tooth pain can lead to more serious problems that may require extensive treatment down the road. If your tooth or mouth is hurting, having it checked out by your dentist in St. Petersburg can prevent your condition from worsening and relieve your pain
Contact Us Today to Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Ferullo
If you’re experiencing tooth pain, don’t wait to get it treated. Dr. Ferullo provides gentle, top-notch dental services in St. Petersburg that can ease your tooth pain and improve your oral health. Contact us today at (727) 785-4716, and don’t forget to ask about free teeth whitening!
