Don’t place aspirin or painkillers directly against the gums because it can burn or irritate the gum tissue. It may also cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to substances in the product. Acetaminophen, and not aspirin or ibuprofen, should be used for infants and children with toothaches. Anti-inflammatories and painkillers should always be short-term strategies for pain control. Taking too much of them at a time or taking them for too long increases your risk of stomach, kidney and liver problems. Visit a dentist as soon as possible before the problem gets worse and more painful. [4] X Expert Source Pradeep Adatrow, DDS, MSBoard Certified Dentist & Oral Surgeon Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.
Use caution with products containing benzocaine because it can lead to a rare condition called methemoglobinemia, which reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. Don’t use benzocaine on kids younger than two years of age without medical supervision. OTC benzocaine products are just meant for short-term use prior to seeing a dentist.
Always wrap anything frozen in a thin cloth before you apply it to skin — this will prevent skin irritation and frostbite. Apply the cold compress for about 15 minutes three to five times daily until the inflammation/toothache subsides or fades away. Significant trauma to the mouth and teeth should be examined by a dental professional as soon as you can make an appointment — make sure you tell the dentist it is an emergency so you can be seen right away.
Add a teaspoon of sea salt into a cup of boiling hot water and let it cool down until there’s no risk of burning your mouth. Then take a mouthful and swish it around for at least 30 seconds or more before spitting it out. Take a second mouthful to swish and also gargle with it for a few seconds before spitting it out. Repeat this procedure three to five times daily until the pain fades away or you can see a dentist. If you don’t have sea salt, then table salt is also an effective antiseptic, but it doesn’t contain any trace minerals which may contribute to pain relief. Keep in mind that the pain may return after a few days and it may be even more intense. If this is the case, see your dentist right away.
Clove oil needs to be used carefully because it’s pretty strong and can irritate sensitive gums/tongues/lips if poured directly onto them. Oil of cloves is found in virtually all health food stores and most mainstream pharmacies. As an alternative, consider using some powdered clove or a whole clove on the tooth. Chew the clove to release its oil and numb the area.
The first sign of tooth decay may be pain sensations in teeth while eating something exceptionally hot or cold. In addition to ice cubes, crunching on hard nuts, seeds and beans can also exacerbate toothaches and potentially cause more damage to broken teeth.
Hard candy can be a “double whammy” to toothaches: very sweet and hard enough to do damage to cracked teeth or poor dental work. Even healthy snacks, such as granola bars, can be problematic for toothaches due to the honey, sweet raisins and dates, and hard nuts.
Your dentist will examine your mouth and likely take dental x-rays. Cavities, abscesses, gingivitis, cracked teeth and uneven wear are all common causes of pain that can be treated at your dentist’s office. Tell your dentist if you or your child had any recent mouth trauma.
Before you get a filling, your dentist will first remove the decayed part and sanitize the area. You’ll get an injection of anesthetic to kill the pain. Your toothache may also be caused by a previous filling that’s come loose or cracked and allowed more bacteria in. There are growing health concerns regarding the use of amalgam fillings (due to the mercury content), so ask your dentist what’s the best material for your long-term health. [16] X Trustworthy Source US Food and Drug Administration U. S. government agency responsible for promoting public health Go to source
In addition to a moderate-to-severe toothache, other signs that you may need a root canal include: tenderness with chewing, fever, discoloration of the tooth, being unable to open your mouth (trismus), or tenderness in nearby lymph nodes. There is some controversy surrounding root canals because it’s very difficult to completely sterilize a root-canaled (root-filled) tooth, which can provide protected space for bacteria to grow and release toxins into the bloodstream. There are a variety of root canal procedures, so ask your dentist about the pros and cons of their technique.
Some teeth (such as wisdom teeth) are not as essential for chewing or as cosmetically important, so these can be pulled without much concern; however, you should make every effort to save the teeth at the front of your mouth. Health insurance plans don’t often include the entire cost of dental care, so make sure to check with your provider.
