Have you got a toothache? If you are experiencing moderate or severe pain, you probably want to relieve it quickly and effectively. It's important to see your dentist if the pain persists or gets worse, but in the meantime, know that there are many first aid remedies and home alternative solutions you can put in place to reduce your discomfort.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Act Quickly
Step 1. Remove any remaining stuck food
One of the first things you can do - even before trying any home remedies - is a quick teeth cleaning. Eliminate any food particles that are trapped near the tooth that could cause pain.
- Gently floss both sides of the affected tooth and remove all traces of food.
- When finished, rinse your mouth thoroughly. Quickly swirl some lukewarm water around your mouth to loosen any residue, and finally spit it out.
Step 2. Avoid using that tooth
Until you have found an effective remedy, take simple steps to manage the pain. Do not chew in that part of the mouth and with that particular tooth.
- You can also try putting in a temporary filler. If the tooth is broken or damaged in any way, you can cover it for a while with chewing gum or orthodontic wax until you find a permanent solution.
- You can find kits with temporary dental fillers in many drugstores. Generally they are made of zinc oxide or similar material, they have the function of reducing the pressure and you can keep them up to two weeks. They generally don't cost more than 10 euros.
Step 3. Take some pain relievers
You can take non-prescription medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce pain until you can go to the dentist. Follow the instructions on the leaflet for the right dosage.
- For most pain relievers, one or two tablets are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours, although the correct dosage depends on the type and brand of the drug.
- You can buy this class of medicines at any pharmacy or parapharmacy for less than 20 euros.
- Do not apply aspirin or other types of pain relievers directly to the gum tissue, as this could cause damage.
Step 4. Apply a topical pain reliever
These topical cream medications are another viable option. They perform the function of numbing the area surrounding the tooth or can be inserted directly into the caries. The active ingredient in these medicines is benzocaine. Follow the instructions on the package to determine the exact amount of medication to apply.
- You can find topical ointments or gels such as Curasept in major pharmacies and drugstores at affordable prices.
- Use only topical oral pain relievers, as others could be dangerous if ingested.
- Although in rare cases, benzocaine can cause a dangerous condition called methemoglobinemia, which reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. Children who are less than 2 years old should not take drugs containing this active ingredient and in any case the recommended dosage should never be exceeded.
Step 5. Apply a cold pack
Another quick way to reduce pain is to numb the area with the cold. Cold temperatures reduce blood flow to the area and when blood circulation slows the pain decreases.
- Wrap an ice cube in a plastic bag or thin sheet and place it on your jaw next to the aching tooth for 10-15 minutes.
- Take breaks of 10-15 minutes, then continue applying the compress to the painful area as needed.
- Make sure your skin recovers to normal temperature before applying ice again, otherwise you could cause damage to surrounding tissues.
Part 2 of 4: Using Temporary Home Remedies
Step 1. Numb the area with cloves
This is an old emergency remedy for toothache, because this spice has natural properties that can numb the affected area and kill bacteria at the same time. To get rid of the pain you can use whole, ground cloves or their oil.
- If you use ground ones, wash your hands first and then apply a pinch between the sore gum and cheek. When saliva wets the spice, it begins to numb the surrounding tissue.
- If you are using whole cloves, with thoroughly washed fingers put two or three in your mouth near the painful area. When the saliva starts to soften them, chew them gently to release the oil.
- Alternatively, mix a few drops of clove oil with half a teaspoon of olive oil. Then wet a sterile cotton ball with the mixture and place it on the part of the tooth or gum that hurts.
Step 2. Do salt water rinses
Another way to reduce pain and kill bacteria is to make a saline solution. Salt cannot cure the problem, but it can eliminate bacteria in the mouth and remove moisture from the inflamed gum near the aching tooth, relieving discomfort.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt to 250ml of hot water and wait for it to dissolve before proceeding.
- Rinse your mouth with this mixture for 30 seconds before spitting. Repeat if necessary.
- After using the salt water you can rinse your mouth with more fresh water; use the tap water and rinse for another 30 seconds.
Step 3. Try garlic or onion
Both of these plants found in all homes are very common folk remedies to treat toothache because they have antibacterial properties. They can leave you with bad breath, but they help kill harmful germs in the mouth and offer temporary relief.
- Hold a clove of garlic between the sore tooth or gum and cheek and lock it in place until the pain is gone.
- Alternatively, cut a small piece of onion and place it on the affected tooth.
Step 4. Make a paste of Myrica cerifera (wax tree)
The bark of its root is believed to have natural antibiotic properties, in addition it contains tannins and flavonoids, which give it astringent properties. When mixed with vinegar to form a paste, it is thought to relieve tooth pain, reducing swelling and strengthening the gums.
- Grind 2.5 cm of bark and add it to a few drops of vinegar. Add more bark or vinegar until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply it directly to the painful area of your mouth and leave it in place until the pain subsides. At the end, rinse with hot water to remove all traces.
Step 5. Apply a spicy substance by making a paste with ginger and cayenne pepper
If the tooth is sore or sensitive, you can make a paste made with ground ginger, ground red pepper and water to apply it directly to the painful area and find some relief. Both spicy substances are pain relievers and appear to be most effective when used together.
- Combine a pinch of powdered ginger with a pinch of red pepper in the bottom of a cup. Add a few drops of water and mix until the ingredients are well blended to form a paste.
- Dip a sterile cotton ball into the dough and place it directly on the tooth; leave it in place until the pain has subsided or as long as you can resist. Keep in mind that it will likely taste unpleasant.
- Be sure to apply this remedy only on the affected tooth; you do not have to place it on the gum tissue, otherwise it could cause irritation or burning.
Step 6. Use myrrh tincture
Myrrh is a resin that comes from certain prickly plants and is typically used for perfumes, frankincense, and some medications. Thanks to its astringent properties, it is able to reduce painful inflammation and also to kill bacteria; therefore it has been used since ancient times as a natural remedy for toothache.
- In a small bowl, heat 5 g of powdered myrrh in 500 ml of water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and let it cool.
- Add 5ml of this mixture to 125ml of water and use it for rinsing up to 5-6 times a day.
Step 7. Apply a damp tea bag to the painful area
Like the root bark of Myrica cerifera, black tea also contains astringent tannins that reduce inflammation. You can also try peppermint tea because it can moderately numb the painful area, so it is believed to relieve pain. This natural remedy is often used for toothache.
- To prepare this remedy with tea, put a sachet in the microwave after placing it on a saucer with water. Heat it for 30 seconds; at the end squeeze out the excess water.
- Press the sachet onto the affected tooth or gum and bite gently until the pain subsides.
Step 8. Use a substance with a high alcohol concentration
Please be aware that this does not mean drinking alcohol to relieve pain. Rather, very strong spirits like vodka, brandy, whiskey or gin can numb the tooth when left in direct contact.
- Dip a sterile cotton ball into one of these liqueurs and leave it resting on the affected tooth. You can also take a sip of whiskey in your mouth and hold it on your cheek near the painful area.
- Keep in mind that the relief this method offers is only temporary. Do not attempt this technique with denatured alcohol as it is dangerous if ingested.
Part 3 of 4: Getting Professional Help
Step 1. Make a dentist appointment
Home remedies for toothache do not lead to permanent solutions, but relieve the pain only momentarily. If the discomfort persists or worsens, you should see your dentist for professional treatment.
- There may be some more serious problem behind your toothache, such as damage to your enamel, tooth decay, a tooth cavity, or even an infection.
- Go to the dentist if the pain does not subside with home remedies, if it is accompanied by swelling, fever, or pus, if it is due to an injury, or if it causes problems with ingestion. You should also see your doctor if you experience jaw pain accompanied by chest pain - the latter could be an indicator of a heart attack.
Step 2. Have a filling
The dentist will examine the tooth and may determine that the origin of the pain is to be found in a caries. In other words, the acids produced by the bacteria have eroded the dental enamel to the point of exposing the internal pulp. Alternatively, the problem could be an old filling that has come off. In both cases you will have to undergo a filling surgery.
- After giving you a local anesthetic to desensitize the tooth and gum, the dentist will drill through each carious portion of the crown. He will then fill it with a composite resin or amalgam.
- Generally you can choose which type of material to close the tooth with. Composite resin fillings are typically made of plastic, glass or porcelain and have a very similar color to the natural color of the teeth. Amalgam fillings are made with silver, they are more robust but have a totally different color from the natural one.
- As a filling ages, it may crack or peel off. In this case, the dentist will remove the previous material, clean the tooth from caries residues and place a new filling.
Step 3. Get an artificial crown applied
This is a kind of "cap" that is placed over the damaged tooth to preserve and protect it. Basically it is an artificial hollow tooth that restores the shape and function of the natural one and at the same time protects it from further damage. Crowns are applied in very severe cases of tooth decay, pulpitis, abrasion, tooth fracture or infection.
- If the caries is too advanced or if root canal therapy is required, the filling may not be sufficient and the dentist will opt for a capsule or crown.
- Usually the doctor injects a local anesthetic. He then files the tooth completely and replaces it with a custom-made crown based on the cast of the teeth. These artificial teeth are made from the same materials as a normal filling.
Step 4. Get a gum transplant
In some cases the pain is not generated by the tooth but by the gums; some people in fact suffer from gum recession. This means that the edge of the mucous membranes has detached from the teeth, exposing their nerves and thin enamel, thus leading to dental hypersensitivity.
- If your suffering is due to these kinds of problems, your doctor may prescribe preventative care. Sometimes gum recession is caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Your dentist will recommend that you floss regularly, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a specific toothpaste such as Sensodyne.
- In really severe cases, your dentist will advise you to go to a dental surgeon for a transplant. This means that the doctor will remove some of the mucous membrane of the palate and graft it on the damaged gums. Eventually the tissue will heal and protect the tooth as it should.
Step 5. Start a prescription treatment to desensitize your teeth
If the pain is not due to tooth decay, injury, or other dental ailments, then the problem may be excessive sensitivity due to thinning of the enamel. In this case it is possible to intervene with different treatments, for example by gradually desensitizing the teeth.
Your dentist will prescribe a topical product that gradually makes your teeth less sensitive. As the nerves become less responsive, the pain should subside
Step 6. Treat the dental infection
The pain could be caused by an infection in the pulp chamber or even in the root canals. If so, you need to take action immediately to prevent the infection from killing the tooth or spreading.
- Prescription antibiotics are only needed if you have an infection.
- Infections are usually the result of an abscess that is itself caused by an injury or tooth decay.
Step 7. Get the tooth extracted
If the pain is coming from a severely infected or damaged tooth, or it is an impacted wisdom tooth, then you need to have an extraction (this should be considered as a last resort). Once the tooth is removed, you should no longer feel pain.
Wisdom teeth are usually extracted because they can cause crowding on the dental arch; when your teeth are put under too much pressure, you are more likely to develop infections and feel pain
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Relapses
Step 1. Brush your teeth and floss regularly
To avoid new damage or worsen the situation, you need to learn the basic rules of dental hygiene. In this way the oral cavity will be healthy, strong and you will not feel pain.
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Go to the dentist at least once a year or every six months for a follow-up visit. He will be able to monitor the situation and identify any problems promptly.
- Although proper oral hygiene cannot solve the present problems and reverse the caries process that has already begun, it can avoid future infections and damage and remedy the decalcification that precedes the caries itself.
- Try to always carry a toothbrush with you and keep it in your bag, so you can brush your teeth even outside the home. If you can't brush them, at least rinse them with water.
Step 2. Follow a good diet for dental health
What you eat determines how healthy your teeth are. Whenever you eat sugars, for example, you trigger a reaction with the bacteria in the mouth that generates acids, which in turn corrode the enamel. If you want healthier, stronger teeth, eat less sugar.
- Reduce the amount of sodas, sugary fruit juices, sweetened tea or coffee and drink more water.
- Don't eat junk food, including candy and pastries.
- Avoid acidic foods and juices like grapefruit, cola, and wine. Choose alkaline, i.e. non-acidic, snacks, such as yogurt, cheese, or milk.
Step 3. Use special toothbrush and toothpaste
If the toothache is caused by sensitivity, then you can use special oral care products that are specially designed for this problem. You shouldn't have any trouble finding them at the pharmacy.
- Sensitive teeth are usually the result of gum recession. As the gums recede, the dentin below the enamel surface is exposed. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth are specially created to clean this area using more delicate ingredients.
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush. If the pain is related to gum recession, then you need to use this type of toothbrush to protect the natural mucous membranes.
- Toothbrushes with medium and hard bristles are often very effective at removing bacteria and dirt, but soft ones are much better if you have gum pain issues.
