From the time our teeth start emerging as babies until we’re seniors, our teeth can give us pain from time to time. While there are true dental emergencies that require prompt attention, not all tooth pain is created equal. In addition, we sometimes begin experiencing dental pain after our dentist’s regular office hours on the weekend. For these reasons, knowing how to handle tooth pain at home is important until you can get into the office. Keep reading for ways to deal with tooth pain at home, so the next time you or a loved one find yourselves in discomfort, you’re prepared to handle it yourself.
Saltwater Rinses
If you’ve ever had a dental procedure or infection, your dentist likely advised you to rinse with warm saltwater, and for a good reason – saltwater is a natural disinfectant, and it can also help as a debriding agent – which is to loosen food and any other debris that may be stuck between your teeth. If you’re dealing with a toothache or suspect infection, mix around a teaspoon of salt per cup of lukewarm water and swish vigorously for about a minute. For many people, saltwater is enough to get them through until they can see a dentist.
Cloves
The fragrant clove is one of the oldest remedies for tooth pain. Clove oil can numb tooth pain quickly and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce inflammation in the area causing the pain in the first place. Eugenol, which is found in clove oil, is a natural antiseptic. Clove oil is strong, so diluting it with a carrier oil like sunflower oil is highly recommended. One thing’s for sure, though – the clove oil will help with your tooth pain, and the strong scent of clove will give your breath a spicy and fresh scent. Clove oil is also excellent to use during recovery from any dental procedure.
Ice Compresses
When experiencing a toothache or any other dental trauma, an ice compress should be one of your first lines of defense. Apply a cold compress to the area, which will immediately constrict the blood vessels around the painful area – which decreases pain and possible swelling if present. You want to make sure you never apply ice or something frozen directly to your delicate facial skin, so wrap the compress in a thin material or washcloth and leave it on for about twenty to thirty minutes at a time. You can do these compresses every couple of hours for relief.
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Take Antibiotics
Dental infections can get out of control, sometimes quickly, and while they’re rarely fatal if you know you have an existing infection, it’s important to start treating it immediately. Many dentists and oral surgeons prefer that an infection be cured before proceeding with treatment anyway. If you don’t already have antibiotics on hand, you may seem unsure of how to get antibiotics without seeing a doctor, but it is possible. Plenty of online websites offer these services, and you can have a prescription at your local pharmacy within minutes after answering a few questions. Some of the sites are even tailored for dental issues.
Garlic
Garlic has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, specifically its antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. If you’re in dental pain, you can use garlic on a toothache by crushing a garlic clove to a pasty consistency and applying it directly to the affected area. You can also opt to slowly chew on a piece of garlic which will not only give the benefits of garlic’s bacteria-killing ability, but the gentle movement may also alleviate pain. Garlic has been shown to also have mild pain-relieving properties, so it’s worth a shot for many reasons.
Dealing with tooth pain doesn’t have to be stressful, but it’s important to nip it in the bud when it arises. There is a strong link between dental health and overall health, so following up with your dentist when you’re experiencing dental pain is essential. It may be as benign as a cavity or something worse, like an abscess. Your dentist can help you feel relief and correct the problem.