Pain Relief from Toothaches: Tips and Remedies from Your Dentist
If you are experiencing severe pain from a toothache, the best thing to do would be to seek an emergency dentist who can give you the appropriate treatment. But in the meantime, whilst you are still looking for a dentist or waiting for the schedule of your appointment, there are a few things that you can try to get some relief from the pain.
Symptoms of a Toothache
Not all kinds of pain around the mouth is necessarily caused by a toothache. You will be able to tell that a toothache is indeed the culprit if you feel a throbbing and persistent pain inside the mouth. Oftentimes, it comes with swollen gums, painful muscles in the jaw, and an unpleasant taste or odour coming from the mouth. In the case of an infection, you might also be running a fever.
Sometimes the pain of a toothache might seem to subside, only to suddenly spike when you bite into something hard. Toothache also comes with sensitivity to extreme temperatures and it might worsen when you eat something sweet.
Home Remedies for Toothache Pain Relief
One of the easiest things you can do to try and reduce the pain of a toothache is to give your mouth a thorough but gentle rinse. A saltwater solution of ½ teaspoon salt in one glass of warm water usually works very well. The natural disinfectant in the salt can help clean out the area, while the rinsing action can also dislodge food particles that might still be in your mouth.
Alternatively, you can use a hydrogen peroxide rinse. Mix equal parts of water and a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial solution that will kill whatever bacteria is in your mouth. It can also help with the healing of bleeding gums and can also prevent plaque build-up.
A cold compress can also do wonders for relieving toothache pain. The cold temperature will constrict the blood vessels, thus reducing the pain whilst also bringing down any swelling. In lieu of a cold compress, you can also use peppermint tea bags that have been placed in the freezer for about two minutes. Instead of placing it against your cheek like a compress, place it inside your mouth, directly on the affected area. This will cool the area and soothe painful gums.
When to See a Dentist
Some toothaches are mild and can easily be managed with medication. Nevertheless, you still need to schedule an appointment with your dentist to find out where the problem is coming from. It might not be a dental emergency but it is still good to see the dentist as soon as possible in order to keep the problem from getting worse.
In case of a serious dental emergency, like if the toothache was due to a knocked-out tooth or a serious trauma injury to the face, then you should book an appointment immediately. Depending on the severity of the pain, the situation might even warrant a trip to the emergency room.
If you want to have the best dental care available for getting toothache pain relief, you can call Marsfield Dental Care in Sydney. Our lines are always open, and you can also book online so that our dentists can see you as soon as possible.
