Before a dull ache becomes a throbbing emergency, contact Dr. Stone.
A toothache can range from a minor irritation to a major source of pain. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up from a proven Ft. Lauderdale dental team will offer lasting relief. But you can also take steps on your own – including using home remedies for toothaches – to help you through those difficult first hours.
Kinds of toothaches and their causes
- Sharp, sudden pain triggered by contact, like when you bite into food, might be caused by tooth decay, a chipped tooth or a loose filling. You may also have food or some other object stuck between your teeth, irritating your gum. A sharp shooting pain when biting often is indicative of a cracked tooth.
- Dull or lingering pain could have its basis in an inflamed pulp (the soft part of the tooth’s center, where the nerves are located). A jaw problem like TMD may make your teeth hurt. And sinus problems also contribute to this kind of discomfort – even though the problem is not in your teeth per se, sinus pressure causes “referred” pain that feels like a toothache. Sensitivity to cold is common and usually correctable; sensitivity to heat often means a root canal is needed.
- Hard-to-identify pain and swelling – where you cannot tell exactly which tooth is the problem – may be the symptoms of infection or abscess, both of which are serious issues to address immediately.
Cloves are an antioxidant that provide anti-inflammatory and anesthetic relief.
Home remedies for a toothache
One of the best home remedies for toothaches is already in your medicine cabinet. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help bring down swelling and take the edge off the pain until you can see your dentist. Opt for acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil) – but first be sure that you’re not sensitive to these formulas. If you can, avoid aspirin, which may trigger bleeding.
Look in your refrigerator or pantry for more home remedies:
- According to the Top 10 Home Remedies site, cloves are an antioxidant that provide anti-inflammatory and anesthetic relief. Dab a little clove oil on a cotton ball and apply it gently to the affected tooth. Don’t have clove oil on hand? A tea bag delivers many of the same benefits, and is easier to use.
- Warm saltwater brings relief in many cases, and it makes for an easy-to-use rinse. Mix half a tablespoon of salt into a cup of very warm water, and swirl it around your mouth for a few moments.
- Ice cubes numb a sore tooth or gum quickly. Put one or two in a small plastic bag, then wrap the bag in a soft washcloth, and hold it against your tooth for several minutes.
- Even a raw potato or onion can act as natural home remedies for toothaches. Peel the skin off these vegetables, then hold them to the affected area to cool and treat the area.
Avoiding future toothaches
Good dental hygiene can go a long way toward stopping toothache before it becomes a problem in your life. If you do nothing else dentally, maintain regular dental cleanings. We can usually fix a tooth, we cannot fix bone loss due to tartar on a tooth.
- Floss daily, paying special attention to the back teeth where a toothbrush may miss. If you don’t floss you are missing 2 sides of every tooth.
- Pay attention to bad habits like teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching. Your dentist can prescribe a bite guard to wear at night that helps eliminate this problem.
- Watch your sugar intake, and be especially careful about sugary foods that linger in your mouth, like hard candies or sodas.
- If you wait until it hurts it is often too late. It will certainly cost more.
Fix that toothache today!
Before a dull ache becomes a throbbing emergency, contact Dr. John C. Stone. With more than 30 years’ experience treating generations of Ft. Lauderdale families, Dr. Stone is your source to relieve pain right away.