Let’s say you have a toothache. You schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist, and the question becomes what you should do until then. Over-the-counter medications can be life savers when it comes to managing tooth pain, but sometimes you might need a little something extra. In that case, some home remedies have had success in easing the discomfort of a toothache. Here are a few you can try.
Salt Water Rinse
Trusted by mothers for generations, this is usually the first thing you can try to ease tooth pain. Toothaches are often caused by bacterial infections that lead to inflammation. Salt water is a natural disinfectant, so it can actually reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth. It’s only a temporary solution, but gargling with salt water can ease some irritation until your appointment.
Garlic
Similar to salt water, garlic has mild disinfectant properties that can reduce inflammation in an infected tooth. Crush the garlic into a paste, or slowly chew up a whole clove. You might want to add a little salt for more disinfection (and for taste).
Toothache Plant
This may not be something you have lying around the house, but there’s a fairly common plant that happens to be effective at dealing with oral pain. The paracress, also known as the “toothache plant” contains a compound called spilanthol, which has been clinically proven to have anti-inflammatory effects. The plant has also been known to numb the mouth slightly when chewed. While it is relatively harmless, it should be avoided by people who drink alcohol, use diuretics, or have prostate cancer. Pregnant women should also forego using this plant for their toothaches.
Peppermint Tea Bag
Nothing makes you feel fresh like peppermint, but did you know that this herb can also numb your mouth? Applying a wet peppermint tea bag to an afflicted tooth can ease pain in that area of the mouth, making the toothache a little more bearable.
Cold Compress
Putting an ice pack on a wounded area causes the surrounding blood vessels to constrict. Doing this to your tooth should reduce the pain you feel in that part of the mouth as well as quell any swelling or inflammation that might be causing you grief. You can apply a cold compress for twenty minutes every few hours; any more and you could potentially damage the exposed area.
That emergency dental appointment might seem like it’s a hundred years away, but it’ll be here before you know it. Make good use of these home remedies, and getting to the office will be easy.
About Our Practice
At Stonebriar Smile Design, our experienced dental team will make full use of their skills to keep your oral and physical health in the best possible condition. We know how uncomfortable a toothache can be, which is why we prioritize seeing our emergency patients as fast as we can. We also offer sedation options for nervous patients, and we have flexible financing options so everyone can afford to treat their urgent oral health issues. If you have any questions about managing a toothache, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (469) 361-0081.
