Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily are essential for removing plaque and bacteria that contribute to oral issues like cavities, gum disease, and injuries. However, there’s no guarantee that you won’t develop a dental emergency, like a sudden or severe toothache.
If your problem occurs during evening hours or over the weekend and you can’t reach your dentist, you’ll have to manage until their office reopens. Thankfully, there are several at-home remedies that can provide some much-needed relief. Continue reading to learn 3 tips for easing your toothache!
Method #1: Using a Cold Compress
One simple but effective way to reduce the throbbing in your tooth is by holding an ice pack or cold compress to the sore side of your face for 20 minutes at a time. This is especially helpful if the pain is due to physical trauma because the cold temporarily constricts your blood vessels to reduce swelling and associated aches.
The numbing sensation is temporary so you may need to repeat the process every few hours for sustained relief. Otherwise, this is a great way to take the edge off long enough to fall asleep so you can call your provider in the morning.
Method #2: Rinsing with Salt Water
Your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate your enamel or your connective tissues to cause disease in your gums, teeth, or jawbone that can result in persistent or severe discomfort. If you’re unsure what’s causing your tenderness, you can try rinsing with salt water as a natural disinfectant. This rinses away unwanted germs, leftover food, and any other debris that might be causing irritation.
You can make your own mixture by adding ½ teaspoon (tsp) of salt to a warm glass of water. Sip and gently swish the fluid around your mouth, then spit it out. Repeat until the cup is empty.
Method #3: Applying Clove Oil
If you’re a fan of essential oils and happen to have some clove in your cabinets, you can apply some to your troubled tooth to reduce sensitivity. The oil produced by clove buds contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic and antibacterial ingredient. That makes it ideal for killing microbes that cause cavities or gum disease behind your toothache.
However, using too much can irritate your already sensitive tissues, so be cautious with this method. You can place a few drops onto a clean cotton ball or piece of gauze and press it to the sore spot safely.
These tips can help you reduce throbbing until you can contact your dentist to schedule an emergency appointment.
About the Practice
At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, you and your family benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping you build and maintain your happiest, healthiest smiles. Dr. Lim is a board-certified prosthodontist with 25+ years of experience, and Dr. Perez is known for her talents as an evidence-based general dentist. Together, they provide a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs at one convenient location, including emergency dentistry. They reserve same-day appointments for urgent scenarios and offer multiple types of sedatives, so you don’t have to wait long for some well-deserved relief. If you have a toothache and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (408) 292-2848.