How To Get Rid Of Toothache? Finding Relief As Quickly As Possible

Toothaches can be incredibly painful and are often a sign of an underlying problem. Going to the dentist for treatment is the best way to get rid of a toothache. However, there are some emergency tips that you can use in the meantime until you get your dental treatment.

In this article, we’ll go over how to instantly get rid of a toothache at the dentist’s office or even at home so that you can find relief from your pain as quickly as possible.

Common causes of toothache

Dental pain can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from tooth decay to sinus infection. Common causes of toothache include cavities, gum disease, enamel erosion, cracked teeth or fillings, clenching or grinding the teeth at night (bruxism), abscesses and impacted wisdom teeth.

Additionally, trauma from an accident or injury may cause a toothache if it damages the nerve endings in the affected area. It is important for individuals with the aching tooth to seek professional help as soon as possible in order to get relief and prevent further damage.

What does tooth pain feel like?

Toothache pain can range from a dull ache and severe pain to excruciating discomfort, and this sensation may come in intermittent or continuous.

You may feel:

• Experiencing throbbing pain or swelling near your tooth and gum
• Fever
• When you lightly brush your finger over or take a bite of something, you feel an intense and sudden pain, tenderness and achiness in or around your tooth.
• You may feel a sudden jolt of discomfort or sharp pain in your tooth when exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures from food and beverages.
• An infrequent yet intense burning or shock-like pain.

Treating toothache

Get an X-Ray to Identify the Cause of Your Toothache

Getting an X-ray is one of the most important steps in diagnosing and treating a toothache. It allows dentists to get a clear picture of what is causing the pain, whether it’s from an infection, decay or trauma.

An X-ray can also help determine if any further treatment needs to be done, such as root canal therapy or surgery. With this information, dentists can better address the cause of your toothache and provide you with relief quickly.

Have a Professional Cleaning

Having a professional dental cleaning can be an effective way to get rid of your toothache. It involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the affected area, which can reduce inflammation and pain.

By having a professional cleaning done regularly, you can also help prevent future issues such as cavities or gum disease that could lead to more serious problems down the road. Professional cleanings are an important part of maintaining good oral health and should not be neglected if you want to keep your teeth healthy for years to come.

Oral pain medications

When it comes to treating a toothache, medications can be an effective short-term solution for pain relief. There are both over-the-counter and prescription medications available that can provide temporary relief from the discomfort caused by toothache. 

Depending on the severity of your condition, your dentist may recommend one or more types of medication to help you manage your symptoms until treatment is complete.

Filling

If the toothache is caused by a cavity, your dentist can provide relief by filling it or even extracting the involved tooth, if needed.

Root canal treatment

If the source of your toothache is an infection in the nerve, you may need to employ a procedure that removes and replaces contaminated pulp with sealing material. Bacteria can penetrate deep into the root canal, resulting in an infectious state.

Why does toothache hurt more at night?

At night, toothache pain can be much more intense, especially due to the fact that there are fewer distractions and lower levels of stimulation during this time of day. Nighttime is when our bodies are in a relaxed state, which can lead to heightened sensations of pain in general.

Furthermore, when lying down, the increase of blood to one’s head may exacerbate a toothache as it causes more pain and pressure in that particular area.

Additionally, hormonal changes that occur naturally during sleep can also make toothache pain more intense at night. To get rid of toothache at night, you may want to try some of the following home remedies.

Home remedies for toothache relief

Toothache can be incredibly painful and disruptive to our lives. While the best way to get rid of a toothache is to visit the dentist, there are some home remedies that can provide temporary relief until you get your dental treatment. These remedies include:

Cold compress

Applying a cold compress can be an effective way to provide temporary relief from toothache. This home remedy involves placing an ice pack, cold cloth or bag of frozen vegetables directly onto the affected area several times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time. Applying a cool compress helps reduce inflammation, numbs the pain and constricts the blood vessels in the area.

Saltwater rinse

Saltwater rinse is one of the oldest home remedies for tooth pain relief. It involves rinsing your mouth with a solution made by mixing one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. This remedy gives you temporary pain relief while also helping to flush out bacteria that can cause infection in the affected area.

Additionally, it can help loosen any food particles or debris that may be stuck between your teeth and gum line. The saltwater rinse should be used several times a day until your symptoms improve or you are able to get professional dental treatment. 

Clove oil

Clove oil is one of the oldest home remedies as a pain reliever and has been used for centuries to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area.

Clove oil contains eugenol, an active ingredient that helps to numb the nerves responsible for a painful tooth while also providing antiseptic properties that can help fight off infection.

This remedy can be used several times a day until your symptoms improve or you are able to get professional dental treatment.

Add a few drops to a ball of cotton and place it directly onto the affected tooth for temporary relief or mix a few drops of clove oil with olive oil to create a mixture and apply it to your tooth.

Hydrogen peroxide rinse

Hydrogen peroxide rinse is a popular home remedy for relieving toothache. It involves rinsing your mouth with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water in order to reduce tooth pain, inflammation, and bacteria that can cause gum infection in the affected area.

How to prevent toothache?

Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing toothache and other dental problems. Practising proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as visiting your dentist regularly, can help you keep your teeth healthy and pain-free. 

Additionally, there are certain lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce the risk of developing a toothache in the future. In this article, we’ll discuss some tips on how to prevent a toothache from occurring in the first place.

Get your prompt help now!

From X-rays to medications and professional cleanings, there are many ways that you can get rid of your toothache. However, the best way is still prevention.

Practising good oral hygiene habits like brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, as well as visiting your dentist at least once every six months, will help keep your teeth healthy and free from pain.

Additionally, lifestyle changes such as avoiding excessive sugary foods or drinks and abstaining from clenching or grinding your teeth can also help reduce the risk of developing a toothache in the future.

If your toothache continues, don’t wait to look for help. Reach out and contact us today so that you can make an appointment with our team of expert dentists! Taking the initiative now will ensure a speedy recovery from any dental troubles you may be having. Don’t delay -call us as soon as possible!

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Toothache and swelling
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/toothache-and-swelling

Dealing with tooth pain
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(19)30489-1/fulltext

Toothache: First aid
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-toothache/basics/art-20056628

Tooth decay
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay

Tooth pain
https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/tooth-pain/