Tooth discomfort can make ordinary activities like eating and talking agonising and difficult. If you feel discomfort in your tooth and are wondering how to get rid of toothache, you may want to attempt a remedy at home while you wait to visit the dentist.
If you experience severe discomfort, you may have a condition considered a dental emergency, like a broken tooth or deep decay. Your dentist may suggest professional treatment with one of several common dental procedures to provide toothache relief and restore your dental health.
How to Get Rid of a Toothache at Home?
There are many easy and effective at-home remedies for toothache relief. Discovering what works for you is the first step to taking the edge off your discomfort.
Salt water rinse
A salt water rinse is a tried-and-true method for alleviating dental discomfort. Saltwater, a natural disinfectant, can help reduce inflammation, heal oral wounds, and loosen debris and food particles that may have lodged between your teeth.
To try this approach, mix ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and use it as a mouthwash. Repeat this process throughout your day as needed.
OTC pain relievers
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide quick and convenient toothache relief. These prescription-free medications may temporarily alleviate aching and throbbing but not solve the underlying dental problem.
When using OTC pain relievers, always stay within the recommended dosage on the packaging and do not use OTC pain relievers for more than three days. If your toothache persists, contact your No Gaps Dental dentist immediately. A toothache may be a sign of a serious infection or dental emergency.
Cold therapy
A cold pack can help relieve the tooth pain you may be experiencing, particularly if your toothache has been caused by trauma. A cold pack causes the blood vessels in that area to constrict, making the pain less severe, and reducing inflammation.
Apply a cold pack or a bag of ice wrapped in a tea towel to the affected area in 20-minute intervals and repeat every few hours.
Numbing gels
Over-the-counter numbing gels and ointments containing benzocaine may help numb areas of discomfort. These medications can be applied directly to the surface of the mouth and gums to relieve pain from toothaches. These products are primarily found in gel form and are available as a spray, liquid, or lozenge.
However, benzocaine is unsuitable for use by young children. Use a kid-friendly numbing gel containing choline salicylate or a natural numbing agent like peppermint oil to alleviate discomfort.
Clove oil
If you’re still wondering how to get rid of a toothache, eugenol, a compound found in cloves, can help reduce tooth discomfort by numbing the affected area. Studies have shown that people who used eugenol after a tooth extraction experience less discomfort and inflammation during healing.
To use this method, soak ground cloves in water to make a paste, then apply the paste to the tooth. Alternatively, suck or gently chew on a single clove and then allow it to rest near the painful tooth to help relieve pain.
How to Get Rid of a Toothache at No Gaps Dental?
A toothache may be a sign of a dental emergency. If your discomfort persists, visit an emergency dentist immediately. Your No Gaps Dental dentist will perform a thorough exam and checkup to determine the cause of your discomfort and may recommend one of the following procedures to provide toothache relief.
Dental fillings
If you have a minor chip or crack, it is not considered a dental emergency; however, you should book an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. Leaving a chip untreated weakens the tooth leaving it vulnerable to decay.
To fill the tooth, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill in the area with a suitable filling material based on the location and extent of the decay. This standard procedure is a safe and effective way to provide toothache relief and is usually carried out in just one sitting.
Dental crown
A dental crown may be required to cap your damaged tooth in a dental emergency. If a dental filling does not solve the problem, an emergency dentist may add a dental crown to protect, cover, and restore the shape of your teeth.
No Gaps Dental offers revolutionary CEREC dental technology, which allows you to be fitted for a dental crown in a single session. Getting a dental crown usually involves multiple appointments and weeks of waiting, but CEREC uses computer-aided design and manufacturing technology to produce on-site CEREC restorations that fit perfectly and look beautiful all within a single visit.
Root canal therapy
A root canal is usually required when the soft inner part of a tooth is injured, inflamed, or infected. This may occur due to severe dental trauma from a fall, blow, or an untreated infection.
If you experience intense discomfort due to a broken tooth or your tooth is cracked below the gum line, this is considered a dental emergency, and you need to contact an emergency dentist immediately.
A root canal procedure aims to provide toothache relief and save the damaged or infected tooth. Your emergency dentist opens the affected tooth’s crown, removes necrotic pulp tissue, disinfects the tooth, and seals it with a latex called gutta-percha. Your emergency dentist then fills the tooth with tooth-coloured composite and may cap it with a dental crown.
Tooth extraction
If your tooth can’t be saved with a root canal, your dentist may recommend an extraction to prevent infection or decay from spreading to the nearby tissues or causing life-threatening complications like sepsis.
Tooth extraction is performed under local anaesthetic in the dentist’s chair. After numbing the area, the dentist uses a dental elevator to loosen the tooth from the socket and then extracts it using forceps. They then pack the area with gauze to help form a blood clot. Following an extraction, your dentist may recommend dental implants or a dental bridge to replace your missing tooth and preserve your oral health.
Protect Your Oral Health With No Gaps Dental
If you are seeking toothache relief or suspect a dental emergency, contact No Gaps Dental at (02) 8007 6727 to book an appointment at one of our 15 Sydney locations or use our online form.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
11 Home and Natural Remedies for Toothache Pain
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/home-remedies-for-toothache
How to get rid of a toothache at night
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326133
10 Proven Ways to Treat a Toothache and Relieve Pain Fast
https://www.interdent.com/gentle-dental/resources/stop-toothaches/