Throbbing, aching, and swelling are some of the symptoms of a toothache. Often, toothache prevents us from talking, eating, or sleeping. Though it is a common dental condition, many people still choose to suffer in silence. They hope over-the-counter medications ease the pain and discomfort instead of seeking the treatment they need. Without emergency toothache relief, the symptoms you have usually become unbearable. Keep reading to know some effective emergency home remedies, common causes of toothaches, and when to see an emergency dentist.
About Toothache
Toothaches can cause minor to severe tooth pain, depending on the fundamental reason. A person with a toothache will most probably experience intense pain coming from the affected tooth. Generally, this condition grows abruptly and can occur because of:
- Tooth decay or cavity
- A tooth fracture
- Injury
- An infection
- A dental abscess
- Teeth grinding
- Gum disease
- Food trapped between or under teeth
Emergency Toothache Relief
If you have a toothache, you must visit a dentist. However, you can try some natural home remedies to ease the symptoms while waiting for your appointment. In addition, know that these remedies are for temporary pain relief and should never replace professional dental treatment:
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
The best OTC painkillers for a toothache include:
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Aspirin (Bayer)
You can get all of these pain medications without a doctor’s prescription. However, make sure you adhere to the information on the label and do not take more than the recommended amount.
OTC Toothache Medications
There are a couple of over-the-counter creams or ointments designed explicitly to ease toothaches. Orajel Toothache & Gum Relief Plus Gel is the most popular ointment for mouth pain. In any case, remember that these items only give short-term pain relief. So if you have frequent, persistent, or worsening tooth pain, visit your dentist.
Salt Water Rinse
Washing your mouth with salt water can help reduce swelling, pain and prevent dental infections. To use it, put a half teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Then, gargle the mixture for at least 30 seconds and spit it out.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda can kill bacteria in the mouth and neutralize acidic conditions. To make baking soda paste, combine the powder and a small amount of water, then mix it. After that, gently rub the mixture or paste on your gums around the affected region.
Garlic
Garlic has a compound that can kill or stop the development of bacteria in the mouth. At-home garlic treatment can temporarily diminish toothache pain. In any case, this treatment should never replace an appointment with a dentist.
Clove Oil
Clove has anti-inflammatory and numbing properties. Some studies stated that applying this home ingredient can reduce pain, inflammation, and discomfort. So to make your clove oil remedy, soak ground cloves in water and create a paste. After that, place the oil on the affected tooth.
Use a Cold Compress
The ice pack can help reduce pain and swelling, especially if your jaw and face are swollen. Place the ice pack or cube in a clean fabric and apply it to the affected part for at least 20 minutes. Do this a couple of times every day, particularly just before bed.
Peppermint Tea Bags
The help of peppermint tea is similar to cloves that reduce pain and discomfort since it also has numbing properties. To use it as a treatment, soak a peppermint tea bag and put it in the freezer for 10 minutes. If cold enough, apply it straightforwardly close to the throbbing tooth for at least 20 minutes.
What Not To Do
Attempt to keep away from the following activities since they might aggravate a toothache.
- Avoid chewing tobacco products because they can decay your teeth.
- Stop smoking, as it can cause tooth decay and is usually bad for dental health.
- Do not brush or floss excessively hard because this can damage your teeth and gums.
- Avoid eating sticky or crunchy foods, which can additionally harm your teeth.
- Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks as your teeth might be more sensitive, particularly if you have any exposed dental nerves.
When to See a Dentist for Emergency Tooth Pain Relief
Generally, a toothache is viewed as a dental emergency if:
- The pain or other symptoms worsen over time.
- It keeps going longer than a couple of days
- You have an earache or fever
- There is swelling, inflammation, or bleeding around the tooth that is causing pain in the ear, cheek, or jaw.
If left untreated, a toothache could lead to a more severe infection. For instance, if a toothache progresses to a dental abscess and does not get immediate treatment, it could make the infection spread elsewhere in your body. Any apparent gum inflammation, regardless it results in pain or not, could likewise be alarming, and you should look for urgent dental care.
Furthermore, a dental abscess will not disappear all alone without treatment. Your dentist may drain it or remove the tooth that is causing the infection. Without removing the infected tooth, your complication cannot resolve. Remember that ignoring this could cause the infection to spread to another part of your body, such as your neck, jaw, head, bloodstream, or brain. In addition, an oral abscess can also cause sepsis or even death.
Toothaches that occur because of a cavity begins with mild discomfort. Tooth sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet substances flags the beginning of decay. Hence, observe this symptom because this is when looking for urgent dental care is vital.
Where to Find Affordable Emergency Dental Care
During dental emergencies, the first thing you need to avoid is to panic. So to keep you calm, get some information like the contact number of an emergency dentist. Having access to an emergency dentist in Brisbane can be a significant sigh of relief. So, if you have a toothache or severe tooth pain, call us at (07) 3132 3803. At Emergency Dentist Brisbane, we can help you focus on the problem. We will teach you the first aid procedures that you could perform to handle the situation while waiting for your appointment.
References:
Cavities/tooth decay.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
Orajel™ Severe Toothache & Gum Relief Plus Triple Medicated Gel.
Dental abscess.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dental-abscess/
Is clove oil effective for toothache?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321256
What Is Peppermint Tea? Benefits, Uses, & Recipes.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/peppermint-tea-benefits-765056
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