How To Get Rid Of A Toothache
The obvious solution to any type of dental pain is to see a dentist as soon as possible. When you cannot get to your dentist right away, however, you may have to endure some amount of discomfort in the meantime. The following tips can help you minimize toothache while you wait for your dental appointment.
What is toothache?
Toothache is pain that you can feel inside your mouth in and around your teeth. This pain can be sharp, dull, and aching. You usually feel this pain when the nerve inside your tooth is irritated, for example, if you have a loose filling.
See your dentist as soon as possible if you have a toothache. If you cannot get an emergency appointment straight away be sure to contact your local pharmacy for pain relief advice.
What causes toothache?
One of the main toothache causes is poor oral hygiene. Not looking after your teeth or regularly visiting the dentist can lead to problems, including:
- Abscesses
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or damaged teeth
- A loose or broken filling
- An infection can happen when a tooth has broken through the skin
- Issues with your braces
How to get rid of toothache
Painkillers
Ibuprofen or paracetamol can offer relief from toothache. The painkillers help to reduce the pain and calm the symptoms. These medicines work to relieve mild to moderate pain. Ibuprofen is often used to ease inflammation and swelling of the gums.
Pain-relieving gel or pastes
Gels can be bought over the counter at your local pharmacy. They help to numb the affected area, relieving the symptoms and pain caused by toothache while you wait to see your dentist.
Clove oil
A natural and drug-free alternative, clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic. The spice helps to relieve the pain, swelling and soreness caused by toothache. Apply a couple of drops of clove oil to a cotton bud and place them on the affected area.
Are there any home remedies for a toothache?
There are pain relief remedies that you can try at home when you first notice that you have a toothache, or if you are waiting to see a dentist.
These remedies combined with medication can help to ease symptoms:
Saltwater
This helps to clean the area. Simply combine a cup of boiled water with a teaspoon of salt. Once the water is cool enough, rinse the water solution around your mouth for at least 30 seconds. Do not swallow the saltwater, spit it out. You can also gently floss around the sore tooth to remove any bits of food that may be stuck.
Cold compress
If your face is swollen or you have sore gums, use a cold compress or ice wrapped in a tea towel. You can hold this against your face to help bring swelling down. Swelling could also mean you have an abscess or a sore deep in the roots of your tooth. This can cause serious infections in your jaw and other teeth. Warning signs include fever and red gums.
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