Tooth pain can be a symptom of many different things. It can be caused by inflammation of the gums, an abscess (an infection that develops in the tooth root or between the tooth and gum), a cracked tooth, a dislodged filling, or the most common culprit, a cavity. However, sometimes a toothache is caused by something as simple as trapped food between the teeth. The food particles can irritate the gums and the pain can radiate into the surrounding teeth.
The tooth pain associated with each problem is experienced a little differently. For example, a cracked tooth might cause pressure and pain when you chew something. If you are experiencing severe pain accompanied by sensitivity to hot and cold, this could be a sign that a cavity has reached the nerve of your tooth.
There are many remedies that can help soothe and ease tooth pain until you get into the dentist. Some of these are organic and herbal in nature while others require taking over-the-counter medications. The following list outlines some of the remedies that have been known to relieve toothaches:
o Rinse your mouth with warm water to loosen any food particles that may be causing the pain and then floss or use a water-irrigating device to clean between your teeth.
o Put a couple of cloves between your aching tooth and your cheek and hold it there like a person would with chewing tobacco. Allow the hard, seed-like cloves to soak in your saliva for several minutes to soften them up and then gently gnaw on them like you would a toothpick. The soothing oils of the cloves are released into the area surrounding your aching tooth, relieving the pain. Allow the cloves to sit for about 30 minutes or until the pain subsides. You can continue this treatment as often as necessary until you get in to see the dentist.
o Apply an over-the-counter tooth-pain ointment such as Anbesol or Orajel. These are numbing agents that are designed to soothe mouth pain. Take care to follow the directions on the label.
o Swish a warm salt water solution around in your mouth to help reduce gum swelling, disinfect abscesses and relieve tooth pain. Swish each mouthful for 10 to 30 seconds, focusing the salt water on the painful area as much as possible. Repeat this procedure until the glass is empty. Prepare the solution by mixing a teaspoon of table or Epsom salt into an eight-ounce glass of warm water. Use this technique as often as needed for comfort and pain relief.
o Take 325 milligrams of aspirin tablet every for to six hours to reduce pain and gum inflammation. Do not ever put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums and don’t allow it to sit in your mouth for more than a few seconds because aspirin is an acid that may burn your mouth and complicate the situation.
o Take 200 milligrams of ibuprofen (motrin) every four hours. This pain reliever is also a great anti-inflammatory that is easier on the stomach than aspirin.
o Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on the outside of your mouth where the pain is for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. This will calm the pain, reduce swelling, and relieve agitated nerve endings in your aching tooth.
o Take 500 milligrams of calcium and 200 to 300 milligrams of magnesium at the first signs of a toothache. These minerals can help soothe nerves and temporarily ease tooth pain. Check with your doctor before taking magnesium supplements if you have any heart or kidney problems.
o Sip a chamomile or echinacea tea to soothe mild tooth pain. You can purchase prepared teas at the store, but for more potency, make them from the herbs. Prepare the chamomile tea by adding two tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers to two cups of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. To prepare the Echinacea tea, add four tablespoons of the dried herb to eight cups of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the teas and drink as needed for pain.
In summary, there are many different methods that have been known to ease tooth pain until you can get into the dentist. Try one or a combination of techniques until you find something that works for you and then hold tight until you are able to have a professional look at it.
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Source by Dr. Benjamin Kim
