Toothaches can be a real pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to get rid of the discomfort and make sure you don’t experience it again.
Causes of toothache
There can be many causes of dental pain, and almost all can be traced to poor oral health.
Dental health suffers when people encourage the growth of bacteria by consuming large amounts of sugar, yet not ensuring they clean their teeth properly, so the bacteria do not have a chance to grow.
The bacteria attack the enamel on our teeth, eating away at it and wreaking havoc on not just teeth but also gums.
Tooth decay
This is caused when bacteria attack the enamel and eat away at it, at times going deep enough to expose the pulp and nerves to irritants which can cause extreme pain.
Dental abscess
Tooth pain can arise when cavities become large enough to allow bacteria to infect the pulp or even the entire root. An abscessed tooth can cause swollen gums and severe pain.
Gum disease
Gum disease is an infection in the gums that support a tooth.
In the early stages of infection, the disease is called gingivitis, and it’s causing pain, redness and swelling.
If left untreated, it can progress to its advanced form, called periodontal disease, progressing to a point where the gum pulls away from the tooth or when the bone matter is lost.
This is a serious condition, and if you have dental pain, you should be alert for its symptoms.
Wisdom teeth infection
Emerging wisdom teeth can cause oral pain because food particles can get stuck under swollen gums, infecting the spot. They can also cause great pain if they are misaligned, don’t have space to erupt or are impacted between adjoining teeth.
Bruxism
This is the grinding of teeth to the point their enamel starts to wear away and exposes the inside of the tooth, which is very sensitive to irritants.
There are many ways one can get tooth pain relief. It is important that you get emergency dental care from your dentist, but until you get there, you can try some basic home remedies for toothache.
Cloves
Cloves are one of the best-known home remedies for an aching tooth.
Simply place a clove along the affected tooth. You could also soak a cotton ball in clove essential oil and hold it along the affected area. If you find the taste of clove oil too pungent, you can mix a few drops of it with a carrier oil before soaking the cotton.
Garlic
Garlic contains allicin which has natural anti-inflammatory effects. Simply mince a couple of fresh garlic cloves and apply the paste to the painful tooth with a batonette.
Saltwater rinse
Salt water has antibacterial properties that can help alleviate pain until medical help is sought. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water and rinse your mouth with it frequently.
Hydrogen peroxide rinse
A hydrogen peroxide rinse can be made by mixing food-grade hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this frequently, taking care not to ingest it.
Peppermint
Peppermint’s medicinal properties make it a natural antiseptic. Drinking lukewarm peppermint tea or placing a warm, used tea bag between your teeth can provide temporary relief.
Ice pack
Placing a cold compress on the cheek along the affected tooth can help reduce swelling and block pain signals by constricting blood vessels.
Over-the-counter medication
Analgesics such as ibuprofen and aspirin work well to relieve pain. A few drops of oral gel can be an effective pain reliever when gently rubbed on the tooth, causing pain.
Get emergency dental care
All the remedies mentioned above provide temporary pain relief and should not be continued for more than a day. You need to see a dentist as soon as your tooth starts to hurt.
Dapto Dentists provide high-quality emergency dental services in Dapto, NSW. We reserve some time slots for urgent dental care so we can provide same-day dental emergency treatment to our patients when they need it most.
Our qualified, caring staff will conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause and treatment of your dental pain. Contact us on (02) 4210 9058 to get an appointment to see our dentist immediately.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Tooth decay – NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tooth-decay/
Toothaches: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Remedies
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/toothache#091e9c5e80010eeb-1-2
Periodontal Disease | Oral Health Conditions | Division of Oral Health | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html#:~:text=Reference-,What%20is%20periodontal%20disease%3F,red%2C%20and%20they%20may%20bleed.
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