Many people are caught off-guard when they experience sudden tooth pain for the first time.
Whether tooth pain starts during the day or at night, you are most likely unprepared and cannot see your dentist immediately. You may have to resort to temporary pain relief measures until you make your emergency dentist appointment.
Causes of emergency toothaches
Dental decay
Untreated cavities can lead to severe oral pain and tooth sensitivity, among other symptoms.
Dental infection
A dental abscess or a gum infection is a major cause of emergency toothache.
Tooth fracture
A broken tooth can let bacteria in, affecting the pulp, which can then become infected and subsequently affect the dental tissue and jaw bone.
Dental injury
Dental injury can cause intense tooth and jaw pain.
Gum disease
Gum diseases can affect the gum and tissue surrounding a tooth, resulting in intense pain.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth pushing up through the gums can allow food particles to get stuck under the gum, causing infection.
Cracked or chipped fillings
Tooth fillings that crack or chip can allow food debris and bacteria to reach the dental pulp or the nerve resulting in pain.
When do I consider a toothache a dental emergency?
Any sort of pain in the teeth can cause distress and needs to be treated urgently.
However, with the close proximity of teeth and jaws, it is difficult to tell which is actually hurting. If you are experiencing pain while chewing; bleeding, pus or swelling around the gums; dental sensitivity, unusually bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth, you should urgently visit your dental care provider, who can properly assess the situation.
Remember, home remedies work short-term and are not a substitute for professional dental care. Your dentist needs to examine the cause of the toothache and start proper dental treatment. Till you get to your appointment, though, below are some tips for DIY pain relief.
Home remedies for toothache relief
You probably already have most of the items listed below in your home. They can help provide temporary relief from dental pain, until your emergency dentist appointment.
Cloves
Cloves are an effective home remedy for toothache relief. They contain an active ingredient called eugenol, which is a natural antiseptic. Simply soak a cotton ball in clove oil and place it on the affected tooth to reduce pain. Clove oil can be used on its own, or you can add a few drops in a carrier oil.
Peppermint tea
We are all aware of peppermint tea’s magical properties; well, let’s add emergency toothache relief to the list! You can drink it lukewarm or place a used teabag on the affected area to relieve pain.
Mouthwash
Not the regular mint mouthwash available at your local drugstore, though!
Dissolve a half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish around your mouth to benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of a saltwater rinse. A hydrogen peroxide rinse is made of equal parts of food-grade hydrogen peroxide and water. Since it is a synthetic chemical, its use must be monitored carefully, and young children should not use it in case they swallow some.
Garlic
Naturally occurring allicin in garlic will target inflammation to provide emergency toothache relief. Simply rub a thick paste of it around the painful tooth and let it get to work!
Ice pack
A cold compress applied on the cheek along the painful area constricts blood vessels, numbs nerves and helps in relieving pain.
Remember, extreme heat or cold applied directly to an inflamed tooth can aggravate tooth pain. In a pinch, bags of frozen fruits and vegetables will work well too.
Over-the-counter medication
NSAIDs
Medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin are excellent for reducing pain and inflammation and are safe for almost everyone to use. These mild pain relievers can afford a person relief until they can meet an emergency dentist or the local dentist who is their primary dental caregiver.
Until a dentist examines the mouth and determines a cause for the dental emergency, it is inadvisable to take strong medication to improve symptoms.
Topical gels
Over-the-counter oral gels that are applied over the affected area can work well to numb the affected tooth and provide some relief until you can get to a dentist.
Visit your dentist urgently
Though the above-mentioned remedies can provide short-term relief, dental care is best left to the professionals, and you should visit your dentist as soon as you can. Toothaches can be a symptom of a bigger problem that may need urgent attention.
If you’re looking for emergency dental services in the Leichhardt Marketplace area, call us on (02) 9171 0840 or book your appointment online. We will give you an appointment for the same day for emergency dental services for children and adults both.
References
WebMD – Toothaches: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Remedies
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/toothache
Healthline – 11 Home Remedies for Toothache
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/home-remedies-for-toothache#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
MedicalNewsToday – 9 methods to get rid of toothache at night
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326133#:~:text=A%20simple%20salt%20water%20rinse,in%20the%20teeth%20or%20gums.
NSAIDs – NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids/
HealthDirect – Dental injury | Healthdirect
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-injury#:~:text=seek%20medical%20help.-,What%20causes%20a%20dental%20injury%3F,eating%20something%20hard,-When%20should%20I
Medical News Today – Best medication for toothache: Types and precuations
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/best-medication-for-toothache#contacting-a-dentist