Toothache Relief – How to Treat Your Toothache and Be Pain Free!
It is important to treat toothache without delay. Even a minor cause behind the pain can lead to infections or complications; if it is not treated on time. Toothache can occur due to many reasons such as infections, food stuck in the cavities, injuries, swelling, etc. Gum disease is a major cause of toothache. It can cause symptoms like mild to severe infections and inflammation.
If you can visit the dentist immediately then it is prudent to do so. In the meanwhile, you can resort to home remedies to find some relief from your toothache.
Here’s how to treat your toothache and be pain-free.
Visit an emergency dentist
First and foremost, when toothache strikes; call an emergency dentist’s office. You can do a quick search online to find one near where you live. Simply use your location and requirement in the search query. For instance, use toothache relief Springfield. Doing so will bring up the names of dentists providing such services. Most emergency dentists offer toothache relief services.
If you can wait for your regular dentist to open his or her clinic; you can take the earliest appointment possible at the clinic. Your dentist might also offer emergency services. If so; call the dentist’s office and relay your emergency. A member of the support staff will guide you about the next steps to take.
Use cold compress
If your toothache is due to swelling in the gums or an injury, you can use a cold compress to soothe it a bit. Make an ice pack and press it against the cheek (on the side of the toothache). Doing so can provide temporary pain relief. You can also soak a washcloth in ice-cold water and press it against your injured or swollen tooth from the outside of your cheek. Continue to do so in intervals. Use the cold compress for 2-3 minutes at a time. Then take a break for 5 minutes. Continue to use it for at least half an hour or so; or as needed.
Cold reduces blood flow to the area of its application. Reduced blood flow helps lessen the inflammation and thus the pain as well. Use a cold compress in short intervals for maximum pain relief.
Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relief Medicines
In case, the pain is severe, take one over-the-counter (OTC) pain-reducing pill for relief. Use such medicines only when the pain becomes unbearable and you can’t get to the dentist immediately. Pills are best to use when the toothache is due to a serious oral injury or severe infection.
You can ask your dentist for recommendations about the same during your regular visits. The information came come in handy during emergency situations. Do note that not all pain relievers can be given to children. Use only dentist-recommended names of pills in case your child experiences toothache.
Rinse with saltwater
Warm water and salt mixed together make a potent remedy for pain relief. It can help lessen the swelling in the gums; resulting in less pain.
Add 1/2 tsp of salt to a cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it or swish the liquid inside the mouth for 15-20 seconds at a time. As the salted warm water will continue to touch the gums; you will experience pain relief.
Seek timely treatments
You can keep toothache at bay to quite an extent with regular visits to the dentist. Your dentist can clean your teeth and reduce your chances of contracting dental infections. Removal of tartar and plaque helps to keep gum disease at bay. Gum disease causes all sorts of dental pain. When the dental root is weak, it will lead to infections and thus pain.
Tartar and plaque can lead to cavities too. Food stuck in the cavities can also cause toothache. Stubborn particles stuck in cavities where you can’t reach with flossing can cause you immense pain. The only way to treat is to visit the dentist, who will do the needful. You can avoid such problems by keeping your dental health perfect. It is only possible if you keep up with your scheduled dental visits.
Remember to use the above tips the next time you experience a toothache.