Whether it’s sharp and sudden or dull and constant, tooth pain is hard to ignore. The degree of tooth pain can range from mildly annoying to excruciatingly painful and treatments may be as simple as improving your oral health care routine, or as complicated as oral surgery.
If you experience severe tooth pain that lasts for more than a day or two it’s important to call your dentist as soon as possible, so they can diagnose and treat the issue before your symptoms worsen.
What Causes a Toothache?
A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth, here are some of the main causes for tooth pain:
- Tooth decay
- Abscessed tooth
- Tooth fracture
- A damaged filling
- Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth
- Infected gums
4 Best Home Remedies for Toothaches
In the meantime, easy fixes for tooth pain include:
Warm salty water
This tried and true method keeps the painful area around the tooth clean by killing bacteria and can have a soothing effect on the tooth pain. Take a glass of warm water (not hot) and mix in half a tablespoon of salt and mix. Then hold the mixture in the mouth and spit out, like a mouthwash.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
Your preferred over-the-counter pain medication can temporarily relieve you of pain. Your dentist may also be able to recommend some pain relief until it’s time for the dentist’s appointment.
Cold Ice pack
This effective method entails placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel outside the jaw to the painful area. This is very effective for very inflamed teeth such as a tooth abscess.
Peppermint tea bags
This is a very quick and effective home remedy for toothaches. It’s also a tasty alternative! Put a freshly used peppermint tea bag in the freezer for a few minutes. Then place the tea bag between your gum and cheek to soothe the area.
However, keep in mind these recipes won’t take the place of healthcare from your trusted 24-hour emergency dentist. If the pain persists or gets any worse an emergency appointment will need to be made. However, these home remedies for toothaches can be used if you have a little time to wait before you see the dentist.
Contact Your Trusted Emergency Dentist in Mount Waverley
Remember, home remedies are only temporary relief and you should call our friendly team on (03) 9886 5318 for a full diagnosis and treatment.
Our dental clinic in Mount Waverley has emergency dental appointments available on request. If you have a dental emergency that requires immediate attention, contact our emergency dentist in Mount Waverley!
