Most people have experienced toothache at some point during their life. It can be uncomfortable, painful and sometimes simply unbearable.
Your toothache may be so severe that it is preventing you from going to work, from sleeping at night, and often you are unable to eat or drink anything, fearful that this may make it worse.
A toothache can be caused by numerous issues which have some serious consequences if left unattended or ignored.
Ideally you want to book yourself in with your dentist for an emergency visit, so they can assess the problem, identify the cause of the pain and provide appropriate treatment for you.
Of course with the global situation as it is, it may be difficult to physically go to a dental clinic and be seen. Most dentists are triaging emergency dental concerns over the phone and offering over the phone advice where appropriate.
Here are a few home remedies that can be tried to help relieve some of the pain.
🙌Salt + hot water
Salt and hot water has long been known to provide relief for toothaches. This solution will draw out the fluids from the gums which are causing the irritation, reduces pressure if you have an abscess and helps to relieve the aching sensation.
- Mix and dissolve a single tablespoon of salt into a glass of hot water
- Wait for the water to cool so it is warm and you can tolerate the temperature in the mouth.
- Swish the mixture around the mouth and spit out.
- This will help to provide relief, cleans around the tooth and can help to reduce the swelling. This can be repeated if necessary.
🙌Ice or cold compress.
If the pain is due to an inflamed tooth then the ice will help to reduce blood flow to the localised area. This can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain. It can also numb the area by interrupting pain signals which reduce nerve activity and thus gives temporary relief.
You can use an icepack covered in a thin towel and place it over the area around the cheek or jaw which is causing the most pain. Do not leave in on the area for longer than 15 minutes.
🙌Cloves
People have been using clove oil to help with tooth pain for thousands of years. Cloves are not only a delicious addition to cooking curries, it is also great for easing the pain.
Cloves contain eugenol, a chemical compound widely used as an analgesic and antiseptic particularly in dentistry. This means that it numbs your nerves, and it also prevents further infection.
You can place a few whole cloves in your mouth, moisten them with your saliva until they soften, and hold them against your painful tooth. This will help to release the pain-relieving oils
There are numerous causes for a toothache, and any home remedy that you may use, could possibly be counter-productive, as it may not be specifically targeted at the cause of the problem.
While all of these home remedies may help alleviate discomfort, it is extremely important to consult with your dentist to determine the best management for the pain, as they will be best placed to find the root cause of the problem.
