A toothache is one of the most painful experiences you could go through. The pain is sharp, intense, and often unbearable. If you are experiencing a toothache, you may be wondering what you can do for pain relief and make it more bearable.
Of course, the best option is getting to your dentist for emergency dental care, but what if your dentist is unavailable or it is past their business hours? Thankfully there are some home remedies that can help soothe the pain and make it more manageable until you can get to your appointment with an emergency dentist in Adelaide.
In this blog post, we will discuss a few of these home remedies and how they can help provide temporary pain relief. However, we should first establish the possible cause of your dental pain.
Causes of dental pain
A sore tooth could be caused by any one or a combination of the following reasons, most of which steam from poor oral hygiene.
Cavities
CavitiesCavities, caused by tooth decay are one of the most common causes of toothache as bacteria in plaque build up and eat away at the enamel, causing pain and discomfort.
Cracked Teeth
Accidents or biting on something hard can cause teeth to crack and become painful.
Oral Infections
Gum disease, abscesses, and other gum tissue infections can cause swelling and pain in the teeth and gums.
Grinding teeth
Stress-related grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep can damage enamel and cause toothache.
Oral Trauma
Accidents or injuries to the mouth can result in fractured, chipped or broken teeth that cause pain when exposed to pressure or extreme temperatures.
Sinusitis
Congestion caused by a sinus infection can put pressure on a person’s maxillary molars causing severe toothache.
Gastric Acid Reflux
The acidity of stomach acids eroding enamel on teeth due to gastro-intestinal reflux may lead to an aching sensation within the tooth itself.
Damaged Dental Filling
Dental fillings can crack or break, allowing bacteria or food particles to enter the inner tooth resulting in infection and inflammation around the area.
Also, any kind of movement or pressure on a damaged filling can put stress on the remaining healthy enamel and dentin of the tooth. Both of these can cause pain in that particular area.
TMJ Dysfunction
Toothaches related to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are often caused by misalignment and improper use of facial muscles when chewing, speaking or yawning which puts pressure on nerves leading to pain in multiple areas of the face including the jaw joint and cheeks where sensitive nerve endings reside.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth don’t have enough space to grow properly they start pushing against other nearby teeth, causing severe discomfort such as sharp shooting pains or throbbing aches that come and go without explanation.
Home remedies for tooth pain relief
While you wait to see a dentist, you could try one or more of the following home remedies to help relieve pain. The best part is most of these remedies are already available in your kitchen!
Salt Water Rinse
Rinsing with salt water is one of the oldest home remedies for toothache pain.
Salt water helps reduce inflammation and swelling in your mouth which can ultimately reduce the pain associated with a toothache.
To use this remedy, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and swish it around your mouth for several minutes before spitting it out. Repeat this process as necessary until you feel some relief from the pain.
Clove Oil
Another popular home remedy for relieving sharp pain in your tooth is clove oil which has antiseptic properties that help fight infection which could be causing your toothache in the first place.
To use this remedy, simply dab a cotton ball or swab into some clove oil and apply it directly to the affected area in your mouth.
You may experience some initial stinging but this should subside after a few minutes as the clove oil begins to take effect. Do not swallow any of the clove oil as it can make you ill!
Toothache Plant
The toothache plant contains a natural anesthetic and antiseptic properties that are very effective in providing relief from the tooth pain and discomfort and reducing inflammation of gums and teeth. It works by numbing the affected area and thereby preventing further infection.
It can be boiled and the water taken as tea while the softened leaves can be pounded into a paste and applied to the affected tooth. Toothache plant leaves can also be chewed if you can manage it with the toothache!
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla ExtractVanilla extract can help relieve a toothache due to its natural pain relieving properties. The high concentrations of vanillin and ethyl alcohol in vanilla extract are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
These components can help reduce swelling and numb the affected area, thus providing relief from a toothache.
Garlic
Garlic contains natural antibacterial properties that can help fight bacteria that may be causing an infection inside your mouth which could lead to a toothache.
Apply a garlic and carrier-oil paste directly onto the affected area in your mouth using gauze or cotton wool and hold it there for 10-15 minutes before rinsing away with lukewarm water or saltwater solution described above.
Make sure to rinse away all traces of garlic from your mouth before swallowing anything else!
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
A mild over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may provide some temporary relief for minor toothaches.
However, if you are experiencing severe pain, you may need stronger medications prescribed by your dentist or doctor. Always read and follow all instructions on the package label before taking any medication for toothache pain relief.
Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress is another great way to stop tooth pain quickly.
The cold temperature helps numb the area around the affected tooth, reducing swelling and relieving discomfort almost instantly!
Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel and apply it directly to the outside of your cheek near the affected area for 15 minutes at a time as needed until the pain subsides.
Soothing teas
Certain types of herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint tea can help soothe an aching tooth. Simply steep one teaspoon of dried herbs in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes then strain and drink while still warm.
If you have these in teabags, steep the tea and drink it lukewarm, then place the moist tea bag on the affected area for a double dose of pain relieving properties!
Once you have gotten urgent treatment for toothache in Adelaide by one of our highly experienced and well-qualified emergency dentists in Adelaide, we advise proper maintenance of oral hygiene to avoid such distress.
How to Take Care of Oral Health
Oral health is important not just to maintain healthy teeth and gums but for better general health as well. You can ensure proper dental care if you
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque, bacteria and debris.
Floss your teeth once a day to reach the hard-to-reach areas between the teeth that brushing can’t reach.
Reduce consumption of sugary foods and drinks, as these are major contributors to cavities and gum disease.
Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings to detect any problems before they become serious or painful.
Wear protective gear while engaging in sports or other activities where you could be at risk of injury to your mouth or face such as a custom-fitted mouth guard.
Use mouthwash on a daily basis to help reduce plaque build up and freshen breath. However, do check with our qualified dentists to know which one will suit you best.
Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals for optimal oral health, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cheese, yogurt and nuts which all contain calcium which is good for teeth and gums.
Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco products as these can cause discoloration of the teeth as well as increase the risk of developing gum disease or other serious conditions.
Get Urgent Relief from Your Toothache with Professional Emergency Dental Care in Adelaide
Don’t suffer through the pain of a toothache any longer – get professional assistance right away!
Providing reliable emergency dental care in Adelaide, we offer effective tooth pain relief and an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of your discomfort.
Our qualified, experienced dentists know exactly how to stop tooth pain and provide the right treatment to restore your oral health, so don’t delay and take the risk of further complications or increased discomfort.
Our experienced team will ensure that you receive quality care and a comprehensive solution tailored to your individual needs. Get back to smiling confidently with our dedicated emergency dental care in Adelaide – contact us on (08) 7078 8263 today!
References
11 Home and Natural Remedies for Toothache Pain
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/home-remedies-for-toothache#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
Best medication for toothache: Types and precautions
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-medication-for-toothache#contacting-a-dentist