Toothaches can be a pain in the neck - or mouth, making you desperate to do anything to stop tooth pain. This pain can be very aggravating and debilitating, and it comes with the pesky realization that you have to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, toothaches often strike at the worst possible moment, such as in the middle of the night or when you are hundreds of miles away from your dentist. Fortunately, your pantry and medicine cabinets are full of products that can ease the pain for a few hours.
Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for about 20 minutes to relieve tooth pain, especially if a toothache is accompanied by swelling. Cold numbs the area and helps reduce inflammation, ensuring the swelling goes down.
Toothaches that are accompanied with a foul taste in your mouth or a mild fever could signal an infection. Ease the discomfort by swishing a mouthful of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution, then spit it out. Finally, rinse your mouth several times with water. Hydrogen peroxide will kill some of the bacteria that are causing the pain.
Add a teaspoon of salt to one cup of boiling water for a pain-killing mouthwash. Swish the water in your mouth for about thirty seconds before spitting it out. Repeat this every few hours for pain relief. The saltwater solution cleans the irritating debris inside your mouth while reducing swelling. Furthermore, this solution cleanses the area around your teeth and draws out some of the fluid that's causing the swelling. As a bonus, swishing salt water inside your mouth can also relieve sore throat pain.
Cloves are known for their numbing properties. This is because they contain a natural anesthetic known as eugenol. However, clove oil should be used cautiously. Pouring a generous amount onto the wound could actually worsen the situation. This is because it could get on your tongue or on sensitive gum tissues. For best results, put a few drops of clove oil onto a ball of cotton wool and place it against the affected tooth until the pain goes away. If you do not have clove oil, place some powdered clove or a whole clove on the affected tooth. Chew on the clove for a few minutes to release the oil, and keep it on top of the painful tooth for about thirty minutes.
Ginger is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, while cayenne is high in vitamin C and helps reduce inflammation. Furthermore, cayenne has a chemical known as capsaicin which blocks pain messages from getting to your brain. When equal parts of these two spices are combined, they help reduce the pain and the swelling. To create the paste, mix cayenne, ginger, and some water, Roll a cotton ball in the paste and place it on your tooth. Ensure the cotton ball does not come into contact with your tongue and gums. Leave it there until the pain begins to fade.
These remedies can reduce the discomfort of a toothache and help you sleep at night. However, they do not provide a solution to the root cause of the pain. After the pain subsides, remember to book an appointment with a dentist to treat any underlying problems.
Call (626) 472-2178 to schedule an appointment with Okamoto and Bigley Dentistry in our Pasadena dental office.
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