If you’re suffering from a toothache or waiting to see your dentist due to a dental emergency, here are some handy tips for tooth pain relief until you can get professional help.
Tooth pain is usually a sign of something wrong with the teeth or gums and should never be ignored. Failure to visit an emergency dentist for treatment could lead to a tooth infection that can jeopardise your oral and overall health.
Is toothache always a dental emergency?
Many of our patients ask if tooth pain is a dental emergency. If you have knocked out a tooth or have excessive bleeding, you should call an emergency dentist immediately, as the sooner you get treatment, the more chance there is of saving the tooth.
If you have had persistent tooth pain lasting more than a few days and it won’t go away with over-the-counter painkillers, then you have a dental emergency. A toothache that is manageable can wait for a few days, provided there are no symptoms of infection. If your tooth pain concerns you, please call us. Our emergency dentist will squeeze you in for same-day treatment.
So, getting back to home remedies for toothache relief, first, we need to figure out the type of oral pain you have.
Tooth pain relief – What kind of tooth pain do you have?
Before you reach out for remedies, we need to determine what type of dental pain you’re experiencing. This way, you can be sure of temporary pain relief while waiting for your appointment with the dentist.
Swelling and inflammation caused by:
- Trauma – Cooling the area with a topical cream or anti-inflammatory medication will help reduce inflammation.
- Infection – Cooling the area by applying a cold compress will help ease the tooth pain, but primarily you need an antibacterial product.
Infection:
Bacteria cause infection, so you must use an antibacterial/antimicrobial treatment. Applying a cold compress will temporarily relieve tooth pain, but you must get to an emergency dentist as quickly as possible.
Sharp or throbbing pain:
Nerve pain typically calls for analgesics. But if you have severe pain, it’s unlikely that over-the-counter medication like Panadol or Ibuprofen will provide toothache relief.
Home remedies for temporary tooth pain relief
Painkillers
Over-the-counter painkillers help treat the symptoms of infection or nerve pain. If the problem is inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen or Voltaren will help reduce the inflammation. For fast-acting toothache relief, we recommend soluble Aspro.
Over-the-counter numbing pastes
Numbing pastes help relieve sore gums, tooth pain, and toothache. It’s always a good idea to keep a numbing paste from your local pharmacy in your bathroom cabinet for emergencies. Orajel or Nyal tooth drops both contain Bencozaine, which will temporarily dull the pain.
Gargle salt water
Gargling with salt water is excellent for cleaning the mouth and reducing swelling. Because it is a natural disinfectant, it also helps remove bacteria from the mouth and allows wounds or sores to heal faster. Half a teaspoon of salt should be dissolved in warm water and used for 20-30 seconds several times a day.
Ice packs
An ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel and applied to the cheek or neck will help ease any pain. You mustn’t use the compress directly on the tooth because it will only increase sensitivity in the area.
Clove oil
Clove oil is an excellent product for temporary tooth pain relief because it contains an ingredient called eugenol, a natural painkiller and antiseptic. It may also reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area. The best way to use clove oil for tooth pain is to add a couple of drops to a cotton wool ball and gently swab the area or hold it directly on the tooth. It will take around 5-10 minutes before you feel any effects, and you can reapply every two to three hours. Clove oil can easily be found in most pharmacies or supermarkets.
Peppermint Tea Bags
Did you know peppermint tea bags can be used for toothache relief or to soothe sore gums?
Place a tea bag in hot water as you would if you were making a cup of tea and allow it to cool slightly. It should be slightly warm when you apply it to the affected area. Alternatively, you can use the same method to cool the area by placing the used tea bag in the freezer for a couple of minutes.
Keep your head up
As a top tip, try to keep your head elevated when you have tooth pain, particularly if it occurs while trying to sleep. Keeping the head higher than the body helps prevent blood from rushing to the head, which may exacerbate pain.
Book an appointment
Tooth pain shouldn’t be a normal part of anyone’s day. Try the above remedies for temporary pain relief but if it continues for more than two days, book an appointment with our dentists at Parramatta Green Dental or call us now on (02) 9158 6211.
References
Medical News Today – Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Infection Spreading to Other Parts of the Body
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/symptoms-of-tooth-infection-spreading-to-body
St John’s Ambulance – How to use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack
https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/how-to/how-to-use-a-cold-compress/
Healthline.com – Can I Use Clove Oil to Ease my Toothache?
https://www.healthline.com/health/clove-oil-toothache#:~:text=Clove%20oil%20contains%20the%20active,irritation%20in%20the%20affected%20area