What is the Fastest Way to Relieve a Toothache?
No toothache is a good toothache. When you have a toothache that doesn’t seem to go away, you should contact one of our emergency dentists as soon as possible. The source of the problem could be an abscess tooth or small cavity, but that’s dependent on your situation.
In the meantime, check out our DIY . Hopefully they bring you some relief before you get professional help.
Use Warm Salty Water to Rinse Your Mouth
Swish with warm salty water to loosen any small pieces of food caught between your teeth. Salt water rinse can also help disinfect and heal wounds in your mouth.
To make a salt water rinse, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt with a glass of warm water. You’ll then want to swish the mixture around in your mouth and spit it out when you’re done. Don’t swallow it.
Try to Numb It with a Cold Compress
Holding a cold compress up to your cheek can help you numb a . The coldness of the compress makes the blood vessels underneath constrict. With less blood circulation, you’ll experience less dental pain.
If you don’t have a cold compress, a frozen bag of peas or corn works in a pinch. If you’re using frozen vegetables, wrap a kitchen towel around the bag to protect your skin. You should also never apply a cold compress for more than 15 to 20 minutes.
Use Dental Floss
While it may sound weird, flossing can sometimes relieve a mild toothache. The reason being that sometimes small pieces of food get caught between teeth. If you dislodge a piece of food that’s been stuck for awhile, your gums may bleed a little. This is normal. Call one of our emergency dentists if your toothache persists or worsens.
Try Generic Pain Relief
It’s best that you don’t take over-the-counter pain relievers for an extended period of time. Yet, they can help you for a few days until you’re able to see one of our emergency dentists. If you’re unsure what medications to use, call our office. We’ll be more than happy to help you choose the right options.
Use an Herbal Remedy
Apply a wet, used peppermint tea bag right next to the tooth that hurts. (The tea bag should only be a little warm, not hot.) Over the course of 20 minutes, the peppermint will help numb and soothe your tooth.
Vanilla Extract & Garlic
Having antioxidant and numbing properties, vanilla extract can work as a home toothache remedy. Put a small drop on a qtip, cotton ball, or your finger an d apply to the affected area.
People have used garlic for it’s healing properties for millenia. It has a dual purpose killing bacteria responsible for dental plaque and relieving pain. Take a garlic clove and make a fine paste from it, then apply to the aching area.
Contact our Emergency Dentists
A toothache is your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong. If your tooth pain persists, call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Our dentists are available when you need them most. That way, you’re able to receive emergency dental care as soon as possible.
Our home remedies can give significant relief, but they aren’t a permanent solution. Call our office to schedule an appointment so we can help you get back to having a happier and healthier mouth. When you come in, one of our emergency dentists will look for the source of your problem. This may or may not include taking X-rays to get a more thorough look.
Schedule an Appointment
Our emergency dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, are accepting new patients! To request an appointment, call the Bander Dental Group at (616) 949-5980.
This blog post has been updated.