Home-Remedies to Soothe a Toothache
Toothaches are usually a sudden, inconvenient surprise. They can sneak up on you with absolutely no warning, and it’s not always possible to get to the dentist as soon as your toothache starts.
Most dentists will do all they can to get you in quickly, which is the best thing to do for a toothache. But there are a few things you can do to ease the pain at home before your appointment.
- Over-the-Counter Painkillers
Pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can be effective at quickly fighting off the pain of minor toothaches. Be sure to take the pain medicine as the instructions direct. If you feel the pain radiating to other areas like your ear, head, or throat, make an emergency appointment to see your dentist immediately.
- Cold Pressure
The cold can ease the pain of minor toothaches as well. Fill a paper towel or thin cloth towel with ice and hold it directly on your cheek outside of the painful area. Warm compresses can ease the pain if a toothache is caused by pulpitis. I know what you’re thinking – what’s pulpitis and how do I tell the difference? Well, read here. But essentially, if your pain increases with the cold compress, switch to a warm compress.
- Swish with Saltwater
Saltwater is great for cleaning out infected areas. Swish some warm salt water around in your mouth to help relieve some discomfort. How much salt to water? Use ½ teaspoon of salt for every cup of water.
- Clean and Floss
Clean your mouth thoroughly to make sure the toothache isn’t caused by food debris. Flossing will help to loosen any food pieces that might be lodged between two teeth. Brush, floss, and use a mouthwash to clean your mouth and dislodge any food.
- Numb the Painful Area
If the pain just isn’t letting up, numbing the area where the pain is coming from is always an option. Either buy some over-the-counter numbing gel to put on your hurting tooth or opt for a more natural remedy. Both clove and peppermint oils are natural numbing agents. However, these are very strong and can damage your mouth’s soft tissues if you use more than is necessary, so be careful. Apply only one or two drops of the oil onto a cotton ball and place the cotton ball on your throbbing tooth.
Toothaches are never fun to deal with, but these home remedies can help you handle the pain. Toothaches tend to get worse as time goes by, so don’t wait to call your dentist.
